Rabar Ali – Activist
Renaming a public institution like an airport raises important questions and serious criticisms at multiple levels that need to be carefully examined.
The identity of the city and the original name of the Sulaimani International Airport, being the name of the city itself, carries a strong geographical and historical identity. The name “Sulaimani,” which has existed for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted in the hearts of its inhabitants, is not just a word; it conveys the history, culture, and identity of a city and its people.
The city of Sulaimani has nurtured not one or two, but hundreds of poets, writers, and great scholars in its embrace. They belong to Sulaimani, but Sulaimani does not belong to them.
What impact would changing this name have on the city’s identity and its relationship with its residents? At the international level, most airports bear the names of their cities, like Erbil International Airport and Dubai International Airport. Many cities that have multiple airports name the additional ones after personalities. This is a global standard that facilitates travel and location recognition for tourists. Does this change align with international standards, or will it cause confusion?
The public reaction and division over such a decision will undoubtedly trigger varied and significant responses. While supporters of Jalal Talabani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan might see it as a positive act and consider it a tribute to their leader, another part of Sulaimani’s people and other political parties will likely view it critically. Could this decision lead to a new division between supporters and opponents of the name change?
A crucial question is whether the people of Sulaimani, their city representatives, or civil society organizations were consulted before this decision was made? The lack of public consultation and participation can lead to resentment and a feeling of exclusion.
Furthermore, renaming a public institution after a specific political figure can raise questions about the real motives behind this decision. Is it merely a tribute, or are there other political reasons behind it? Could this set a precedent for renaming other public institutions after political figures?
An airport is a public service institution and must remain neutral, serving all citizens without political discrimination. Changing its name to that of a specific political figure can affect the airport’s neutrality and public image, leading some to feel that the airport represents a specific political party rather than all the people of Sulaimani and Kurdistan.
The cost of renaming a major international institution like an airport is significant and time-consuming. This process requires changing official documents, signs, travel and booking systems, maps, and new advertising. In an unstable economic situation, is this cost and time necessary? Could these resources not be used for more critical projects for the city, such as improving infrastructure services, economic development projects, or providing essential services for citizens?
This serious question arises at a time when many cities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general face economic and service challenges. Is there a precedent for renaming airports in the region or in Iraq? If this decision becomes a precedent, could it lead to a series of other changes to the names of public institutions after political figures? This could result in the loss of the original identity of institutions and create further issues regarding the identity of cities and regions.
There must be a clear and comprehensive policy for naming public institutions based on neutrality and public service, not political partisanship.
In conclusion, while renaming the Sulaimani International Airport to the Jalal Talabani International Airport may be seen as a tribute to a prominent figure, it raises important questions about the city’s identity, the neutrality of public institutions, public reaction, cost and time, and historical precedent.
The government and relevant parties must listen carefully to public opinion and consider all aspects before implementing this decision.
The identity of a city and its public institutions belongs to everyone, and they must be managed in a way that serves the public interest and does not become a source of division and dissatisfaction.
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