The Mahmoud Khan Dezli Symposium was held in Halabja on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, celebrating the legacy of a pivotal Kurdish revolutionary figure on the 106th anniversary of Sulaymaniyah’s liberation. The event, organized by the Syachamana Cultural Organization, featured the theme “Mahmoud Khan Dezli: A Fighter Thirsty for Freedom and Brotherhood,” highlighting his crucial role in Kurdish liberation struggles. Hama Hama Saeed, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Culture and Youth, attended the commemoration held at the Halabja Martyrs Monument Hall.
Historic Liberation and Revolutionary Leadership
The symposium featured an expert panel exploring Mahmoud Khan Dezli’s significant contributions to Kurdish history. Dr. Ranjdar Muhammad Aziz, Shnoy Sheikh Hafid, and Sarwar Ahmad Karim presented detailed analyses of Dezli’s remarkable life and his pivotal role in the Kurdish independence movement.
Speakers recounted how Dezli commanded over 300 Hawraman cavalrymen to liberate Sulaymaniyah from British occupation in 1919, becoming a vital ally of Sheikh Mahmoud Hafid’s revolution. This military achievement marked a defining moment in Kurdish resistance against colonial powers in the early 20th century.
The panelists emphasized Dezli’s dual struggle against both British colonial forces and the authoritarian rule of Iran’s Reza Shah Pahlavi, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to Kurdish freedom regardless of which external power threatened it. Historical accounts, including Rafiq Hilmi’s memoirs, acknowledge Dezli as a hero of Sheikh Mahmoud’s first revolutionary movement.
Enduring Legacy of Cross-Border Solidarity
Born in 1870 and active until his death in 1946, Mahmoud Khan Dezli embodied lifelong dedication to Kurdish liberation causes. The symposium highlighted his continued support for Sheikh Mahmoud’s family following the Sheikh’s capture, providing sanctuary for them in Mariwan city during their most vulnerable period.
Dezli’s significance transcends his military accomplishments, representing an early model of Kurdish cross-border solidarity. His support crossed tribal and geographical boundaries, exemplifying pan-Kurdish cooperation decades before such concepts became commonplace in Kurdish nationalist discourse.
At the conclusion of the event, appreciation awards were presented to the three panelists and to “Kurdistan Nation” TV channel for their contributions to preserving Kurdish cultural heritage through documentation of historical figures like Dezli.
Preserving Kurdish Historical Narratives
The symposium’s timing—coinciding with the 106th anniversary of Sulaymaniyah’s liberation—underscores ongoing efforts to honor historical resistance figures in Kurdish history. This cultural initiative forms part of broader endeavors to document Kurdish historical narratives and strengthen national identity through recognition of revolutionary heritage.
The event concluded with a commitment to continue exploring and documenting the contributions of historical Kurdish revolutionary figures. The Mahmoud Khan Dezli symposium series is expected to continue as an annual tradition of historical remembrance and cultural celebration, ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made for Kurdish freedom and independence.
