The Dakok Organization in the United Kingdom recently hosted a public seminar featuring Abdulla Mala Nuri, a renowned political thinker and author of the influential book Mashkhali Jiyanawa (“The Torch of Revival”). The event convened members of the Kurdish community, scholars, writers, and activists from across the UK to critically examine structural governance failures in the Kurdistan Region and the increasing suppression of freedom of expression.
Mala Nuri’s book offers a rigorous and uncompromising analysis of the deep-rooted political, social, and institutional obstacles that have hindered democratic development in the Kurdistan Region. The author contends that the two dominant political parties have entrenched their influence across critical state sectors—including the judiciary, security institutions, economic systems, and administrative structures—creating an environment that severely restricts accountability and impedes meaningful reform.
Escalating Restrictions and Suppression
During the seminar, Mala Nuri addressed the growing restrictions imposed on his work since the Dakok Organization began hosting this series of intellectual and political discussions in the UK. He highlighted that authorities in the Kurdistan Region—particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK)—have increasingly censored his writing and public appearances in response to the expanding audience for his work.
Mashkhali Jiyanawa has reportedly been banned from libraries and bookstores under PDK control, with distribution and sale strictly prohibited. Individuals attempting to purchase, sell, or read the book have allegedly faced intimidation, questioning, and direct threats from security forces. These measures reflect a systematic effort to suppress critical thought and prevent the book from influencing public discourse.
Monitoring of Educational and Cultural Initiatives
The series of seminars organized by Dakok in the UK has drawn significant attention from authorities within the Kurdistan Region. According to Mala Nuri, the increasing participation and visibility of these events have provoked concern among political elites, who fear that open discussions abroad may catalyze critical scrutiny and civic engagement at home. This demonstrates the far-reaching impact of the Dakok Organization’s efforts to promote democratic dialogue, transparency, and intellectual freedom within the Kurdish diaspora.
The intensified hostility toward both the author and his work highlights the fragile nature of the political environment in the Kurdistan Region, where independent educational and cultural activities are monitored and treated as potential threats to entrenched power structures.
Purpose and Significance of the Seminar
The Dakok Organization’s event was more than an academic discussion; it served as a public affirmation of the right to free inquiry and the circulation of ideas without fear of retaliation. The seminar aimed to:
- Draw attention to the rising censorship and political pressure on writers, scholars, and intellectuals in the Kurdistan Region.
- Highlight the banning of Mashkhali Jiyanawa and the intimidation of individuals associated with its distribution.
- Illuminate broader systemic failures that undermine democratic debate and institutional accountability.
- Support the author and amplify voices challenging corruption, political dominance, and the erosion of civic freedoms.
By hosting Abdulla Mala Nuri in the United Kingdom, the Dakok Organization reaffirmed its commitment to fostering open dialogue on social justice, political reform, and the future of the Kurdish people. The seminar underscored the urgent need to protect intellectual freedom and resist efforts to suppress dissenting voices through censorship, coercion, or political intimidation.
Through initiatives such as this seminar, Dakok continues to play a critical role in expanding public understanding of structural challenges in the Kurdistan Region while empowering Kurdish communities abroad to stand in solidarity with those whose voices are silenced at home.
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