The idea of establishing the Kurdish Students Society was by Dr. Nuredin Zaza, when a Kurdish student in the year 1939 headed to the University of Lausanne in Switzerland for the purpose of study. At that time, the Iraqi government, due to the outbreak of the Second World War, cut off the financial aid to Iraqi students and decided for them to return, but he did not return and decided to stay in Switzerland, but he faced financial problems and could no longer continue his studies; other Kurdish students there helped him so that he could continue his studies.
At that time, Dr. Zaza thought about organizing all students in Europe and gathering them in one society. It was in the year 1949 that the Kurdish Democratic Youth Society in Europe was established by (Ismet Cherif Vanly, Nuredin Zaza, Abdulrahman, Ahmed Qasmlu, Abdullah Qadir, and Shawkat Akrayi).
In the summer of the same year, the society was invited to the Fourth World Festival of Youth and Students supporting communists, which was held in Budapest, but it was immediately opposed by the representatives of some communist parties in the Middle East (especially the Tudeh Party of Iran and the Communist Party of Syria); following that, the representative of the society participated in an international meeting of students in Bulgaria in September 1949.
The Tudeh Party of Iran forced Ahmed and Abdulrahman Qasmlu to stop cooperating with that nationalist organization and to leave it; thus, in November of the same year, the society dissolved.
But in the fifties of the twentieth century, due to the continuous displacement of Kurds and travel for the purpose of study, the percentage of Kurdish students in European countries increased, so they were able to create several cultural, sports, women's, and youth societies and organizations. They also established several research and cultural centers. One of these active organizations was the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, which was established in the year 1956 under the presidency of Dr. Nuredin Zaza with five Kurdish students residing in Switzerland and France..
This society had gathered students from all four parts of Kurdistan within it, and it was in a relationship with more than a hundred student and non-student organizations, and from December 1964 it had become a member of the International Union of Students.
In the year 1975, due to political disagreements, a split occurred, and as all opinions confirm, in September 1975 it became three parts, (The Kurdish Students Society in Berlin affiliated with Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Kurdistan Students Society Outside the Country (AKSA) affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and the society affiliated with the Communist Party in Prague).
Congresses of the Society of Kurdish Students in Europe:The Kurdish Students Society in Europe organized a Congress annually, and each Congress was held in one of the cities of Europe, especially in the country of Germany. The members of the society gathered from all countries of Europe for a few days.
The General Congress of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe was the highest authority and organ of the society. It could, by the decision of the majority of the Congress members, amend the constitution of the society. Every member of the society had the right of membership in the Congresses. Besides holding the annual regular Congress of the society, in case of necessity, upon the request of one-third of the members or (312) of the members of the General Executive Committee, an extraordinary Congress was held. In both cases, all members were notified one month before holding the Congress of the place and time of holding the Congress. In the Congress, the General Executive Committee is elected, and later in the first meeting, the tasks were distributed among its members.
Founding Congress:
The history of the establishment of the first Kurdish Students Society in Europe dates back to the year 1949. It was at that time that they decided to hold a Congress called the Founding Congress in the city of Lausanne in the country of Switzerland, in which Dr. Nuredin Zaza was elected as the president of the society. Also, a decision was made for a monthly publication called (Denge Kurdistan) in the three languages of French, Kurdish, and English.
First Congress:
This Congress was held from 10-16 of August 1956 with the attendance of 17 students in the city of Wiesbaden, Germany. Drafting and approving the internal regulations and program of the society was one of the decisions of the Congress. Also, in this Congress, the name of the society was changed to (Cultural Society of Kurdish Students in Europe). In this Congress, Dr. Ahmed Zamchi was elected as the president of the society and Ismet Cherif Vanly as the vice president of the society.
Second Congress:
This Congress was held from 2-4 of January of the year 1958 with the attendance of 22 people in the city of London. The most important decisions of this Congress were the issuance of a magazine called Kurdistan in English and another magazine with the same name in Kurdish and Arabic. In this Congress, Ismet Cherif Vanly was elected as the president of the society, Omar Dizeyi as the vice president of the society, and Zahir Mahmud Hussein as the general secretary of the society.
Third Congress:
This Congress was held from 4-8 of August 1958 with the attendance of 20 people in the city of Munich, Germany. One of the decisions of this Congress was changing the name of the society to (Kurdish Students Society in Europe). Ismet Cherif Vanly was elected as the president of the society, Wrya Rawandzi as the vice president of the society, and Dara Tofiq Salihi as the general secretary of the society.
Fourth Congress:
It was held from 23-26 of July 1959 with the attendance of 40 members in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Ismet Cherif Vanly was elected for the third time as the president of the society and Kamal Fuad as the general secretary of the society.
Fifth Congress:
This Congress was held in Europe in the city of West Berlin from 22-26 of August 1960 with the attendance of 73 members. In this Congress, Ismet Cherif Vanly was elected as the president of the society, Kamal Fuad as the general secretary of the society, and Wrya Rawandzi as the deputy secretary.
Sixth Congress:
It was held from 22-26 of August 1961 with the attendance of 109 people in the city of Munster. In this Congress, Ismet Cherif Vanly was elected as the president of the society and Kamal Fuad as the secretary.
Seventh Congress:
It was held on 9-15 August 1962 with the attendance of 110 members in the city of Braunschweig, Germany, where Ismet Cheriff Vanly was re-elected as President of the Association and Kamal Fuad as Secretary General.
8th Congress:
It was held on the days of 9-15 August 1963 with the attendance of 156 members in the city of Munich, Germany, where Kamal Fuad was elected as President of the Association and Saadi Dizayi as Secretary General.
Ninth Congress:
It was held on the days of 3-9 August 1964 in the city of Hanover, Germany, with the participation of 183 members. There, Kamal Fuad was elected as President of the Association and Saadi Dizayi as Secretary General.
Tenth Congress:
This Congress was held on 17-22 August 1965 in West Berlin with the attendance of 133 members under the slogans (Democracy for Iraq and Autonomy for Kurdistan) and (Long live German-Kurdish friendship). There, the decision was made to publish the Prishng magazine in the Kurdish language, and Kamal Fuad was re-elected as President of the Association and Saadi Dizayi as Secretary General.
Eleventh Congress:
It was held from 26 to 30 August 1966 in the city of West Berlin with the attendance of 117 members under the slogan (For a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Iraq based on autonomy and democracy), a General Administrative Committee was elected, and Kamal Fuad was elected as Secretary of the Association.
Twelfth Congress:
This Congress was held on 17-31 December 1967 in the city of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, with the attendance of 212 members; the Secretariat of the Association in this Congress consisted of Fuad Kamal and Mohammed Salih Juma and Jawhar Shawais.
Thirteenth Congress:
This Congress was held with the attendance of 230 members on the days of 12 to 17 August 1969 in Berlin; Jamal Alamdar was elected as Secretary General of the Association, and Jawhar Shawais and Shakhawan Namiq were elected as members of the Secretariat.
Fourteenth Congress:
It was held on 1-15 August 1970 in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, with the attendance of 135 members. Shakhawan Namiq became the Secretary of the Association in this Congress.
Fifteenth Congress:
It was held on the days of 15-20 February 1972 with the attendance of more than 260 members in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Tariq Akrayi was elected as Secretary of the Association.
Sixteenth Congress:
This Congress was held with the attendance of 300 members on the days of 16-19 August 1973 in West Berlin. Tariq Akrayi was elected as President of the Association, Qadir Dilan as Vice President, and Farhad Sofi as Secretary General.
Seventeenth Congress:
This Congress was held on the days of 27-31 August 1975 under the slogan (Unity of the Kurdish Liberation Movement in West Berlin). Due to disagreements among some members of this Congress, they decided to withdraw, and they separately held a Congress in the city of Frankfurt, Germany, on 13-17 August 1976 and there they established the (Kurdish Students Association in the Outside Country-AKSA), meaning that in this Congress, the Association split and became two halves.
Branches of the Kurdish Students Association in Europe:
After the number of Kurdish students in Europe began to increase, the decision was made to open branches in countries to carry out activities. These branches would elect a president, secretary, and administrative board; they had activities such as commemorating Kurdish occasions, presenting forums and seminars, holding conferences and congresses, publishing publications, and assisting students in solving problems.
UK Branch: This branch of the Association was established in the year 1958, which included 20 members, and Dara Tofiq was the first secretary of the branch.
Austria Branch: It was established in the year 1958 and is the second branch of the Association; Hanan Hanan was the secretary of this branch at the beginning of its establishment.
Federal Germany Branch: It is the third branch of the Association, which was established in the year 1958, and the first secretary of this branch was Jamshid Jaladat Bedir Khan.
Istanbul Branch: It is the fourth branch of the Association, which was established in the year 1959, and the first secretary was Ibrahim Mam Khidir.
Democratic Germany Branch: It is the fifth branch of the Association, established in the year 1959, and the secretary of this branch was Jalal Betushi.
Soviet Union Branch: It is the sixth branch, established in the year 1961, and Ihsan Fuad was elected as the president of the branch.
West Berlin Branch: It is the seventh branch, established in the year 1961, and the first secretary of this branch was Hassan Mohammed Ali.
Czechoslovakia Branch: It is the eighth branch of the Association, established in the year 1961, and Sherko Tahir was its first secretary.
Poland Branch: This branch was established in the year 1962, and Ali Ghafur was the secretary of the branch.
Yugoslavia Branch: It was established in the year 1963, and the first secretary was Kamal Khoshnaw.
Sweden Branch: This branch was established in the year 1966, and the first secretary was Jamal Alamdar.
Romania Branch: It was established in the year 1970, and Fazil Qaftan was elected as the president of the branch.
France Branch: It was established in the year 1964, and the first person responsible was Zozk Rawanduzi.
Bulgaria Branch: It was established in the year 1964, but it was not that active, so it reorganized itself in the year 1968.
Hungary Branch: It was established in the year 1964 by five students: Shafiq Juma, Adnan Yunis (Gulk), Mohammed Mela Mahmoud, Tahsin Lutfi, and Sherko Dizayi.
Italy Branch: It was established in the year 1969, and the first secretary was Kamal Zino.
Spain Branch: It was established on Newroz of the year 1970, and the first secretary of this branch was Omar Rifat Agha.
Netherlands Branch: This branch was the seventeenth and last branch of the Kurdish Students Association in Europe, which was established in the year 1975.
Activities of the Kurdish Students Association in Europe:Despite the fact that the Kurdish Students Association was a professional democratic organization, alongside its professional struggle, it had various activities in the political, artistic, cultural, and intellectual fields.
The activities of the Kurdish Students Association in Europe were in light of the events in Kurdistan and the revolutionary political movement of the people and political parties. These activities were carried out at both the level of the General Administrative Committee and the branches, most of which were concentrated in the political field. In general, the activities consisted of participating in international and regional occasions, commemorations, and festivals, performing cultural activities, directing reminders and letters to the relevant international parties regarding the events in Kurdistan, and publishing the Association's publications in universities and institutes. On the other hand, the members of the Association were active participants in partisan struggle and some other organizations, for example, the (Committee for the Defense of the Rights of the Kurdish Nation), whose members were mostly members of the Association. Due to the activity of this committee, it soon came under the attention of British diplomats.
The organization's bodies were active in the field of building relationships with Kurdish personalities for the purpose of benefiting from their capabilities and involving them in enriching their activities. The organization always considered the Kurdish New Year, Newroz, as an opportunity to demonstrate extensive activities in most countries, which would become a multi-faceted national cultural and artistic festival.
Publications of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe:The organization also had significant activity in the field of media, having several magazines and publications. In its publications, in addition to publishing political, professional, and cultural topics, Kurdish historical, linguistic, and literary topics were of interest, with the aim of shedding light on the facts and saving Kurdish history and culture from intentional distortion.
From the publications of the society and its branches:-
- Voice of Kurdistan (La Viox Du Kurdistan): It was a monthly magazine and was published in 1949. It was the organ of Kurdish youth in Europe, published in Switzerland and printed in France. It was entirely in French, and occasionally articles were published in Northern Kurmanji in Latin script. It paid more attention to the life of Kurdish students in Europe.
- Kurdistan: It was an occasional magazine that started publication in 1958. It was the organ of the Scientific Society of Kurdish Students in Europe and Britain. It was supervised by the General Executive Committee. Most of its pages were devoted to research on the Kurdish language, the history of Kurdish literature, and music. It played a high role in introducing the Kurdish people to European countries. It was printed in several languages in London.
- the KURDISH JOURNAL: It was a quarterly political and cultural magazine, started publication in 1963, and was issued by the Kurdish Students Organization in America in Kurdish and English.
- Hêviya Welêt HÊVIYA WELÊT: It was the magazine of the Students Society, started publication in 1963. It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Society and was published in the Northern Kurmanji dialect in Latin script.
- The Kurdish Bulletin: It was the magazine of the American branch of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe and was published in Arabic.
- The Caravan/Karwan: This magazine was published by the branch of the Kurdish Students Society in Czechoslovakia (Yugoslavia), and discussing the Kurdish issue was one of its main topics.
- Prishng: It was a literary and social science magazine. Its first issue was published in 1966. It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe in Austria, published in Kurdish. It was interested in literary, scientific, and social topics. It paid more attention to political, historical, and literary articles, poetry, stories, and Kurdish folklore.
- 11Aylul: It was a quarterly magazine (publication). The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, British branch, published it every 4 months in Arabic. It was published in 1969.
- Die Kurdishe Revolution (Kurdish Revolution): A publication issued by the Kurdish Students Society, German branch. Its first issue was published in 1971.
- Pishraw/Al-Tali'a: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society, published in Arabic in West Berlin.
- Kurdistan: The magazine of the Kurdish Students Society by the General Administrative Directorate of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe especially London, published in English in 1972. Articles, news, photos, and documents about the Kurdish people and the revolution in South Kurdistan were published in it.
- Voice of the Society SSE: It was a general magazine. The Yugoslav branch of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe published its first issue in Kurdish and Arabic in 1972.
- Supplement to Voice of the Society/Denge Kmele SSE: It is a general periodic publication. The General Executive Committee of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe published it in Kurdish.
- Supplement to Voice of the Society: Published by the Kurdish Students Society in Europe in Arabic.
- Pishraw: It is a general cultural and political magazine. The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Swedish branch, published it occasionally. KSSE published it in Kurdish.
- KSSE Information: A publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe. It was in English.
- Newsletter: It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Union, supervised by the General Executive Committee of the Kurdish Students Society. It was published in English.
- Kurdish News: Its issue 3 was published in 1974 by the General Administrative Directorate of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe with the cooperation of the Kurdish Students Society, England branch, in which the activities of the society and articles and news of the Kurdish revolution were published.
- The Torch/Mashkhal: It was a periodic publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Netherlands branch. It was in Kurdish and Arabic and was published in 1975.
- Perseverance: It is a political cultural magazine. It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, issued by the British branch. It was first published in Kurdish in 1976.
- Covenant: The periodic magazine of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Netherlands branch, was published in both Kurdish and Arabic. Its issue 1 of the first year was published in 1976.
- Goal: A publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Austrian branch, was in Kurdish. It was published in 1977".
- Voice of the Society: It was a political cultural magazine, by the General Executive Committee of the Kurdish Students Society affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Europe, German branch, published in Kurdish and Arabic. Its first issue was published in 1978.
- kssa: It was a newsletter, the Kurdish Students Society in Europe in Czechoslovakia published it in Kurdish and Arabic, and some issues in English. This magazine was published in Czechoslovakia in 1981 in Kurdish and Arabic.
- Voice of Kurdistan: The magazine of the Kurdish Students Society (Kurdistan) in Europe was published in Kurdish.
- KURD: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society, which was the organ of the Kurdish Students Society in the USA and Canada, containing topics related to students, the nation, and patriotism in Kurdish and English. Only one issue was published in 1982.
- Voice of the Society/Sawt al-Jam'iyah: It was a periodic publication, published in Arabic by the General Administrative Board of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Berlin branch. A one-page report in Russian about Kurds and Kurdistan was published by Ali Bazarif Dustur Istera.
- Voice of the Society/Sawt al-Jam'iyah/ KSSE: It is a periodic publication published by the General Administrative Office of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe in Kurdish.
- Letter of Kurdistan: The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Greece branch, published it. The first issue was published in 1982.
- Kurdish Student: Initially it was a publication and after a few issues it was named a magazine. It was published by the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Yugoslavia branch. It was in Kurdish and Arabic and in several issues it published articles in the Yugoslav language. The first issue was published in 1982.
- Call of Kurdistan: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Hungary branch, published in Kurdish and Arabic. The first issue was published in 1982.
- Newroz: This publication is the voice of the Kurdish Students Society in East Germany. Issue 1 was published in 1982.
- INFO/ Info: It was published by the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, West Germany branch, in the city of Frankfurt in Kurdish (Sorani and Latin), Arabic, and German.
- Spark: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Sweden branch, published in Kurdish and Arabic. Issue 1 was published in 1983.
- Voice of Kurdistan: It was the magazine of the Voice of the Union of Kurdish Students and Youth in Europe (YOKSI), Germany branch. Issue 1 was in April 1983.
- Voice of the Society: It was the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Romania branch. Issue 1 was published in 1983.
- News and Reports: The magazine was published by the Kurdish Students Society, Soviet Union branch. Issue 1 was published in 1983.
- Union: The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Italy branch, published it in Kurdish. Issue 1 was published in 1983.
- Kurdistan: It was a student publication, published by the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Poland branch.
- Kurdistan: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, in Czechoslovakia. It was the central magazine of the organization. It was published in Kurdish and Arabic.
- News Bulletin: It was one of the publications of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, published in Arabic and English. Issue 1 was published in February 1984 in Arabic in Prague.
- Kurdistan Voice of Students/Youth-Voice of Students and Youth: It was a magazine, the Union of Kurdish Students and Youth in Europe (YOKSI), UK branch, published it in Kurdish, using two names (Kurdistan Voice of Students and Youth) and (Voice of Students and Youth). Issue 1 was in 1984.
- Pioneer: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society, which was the organ of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Sweden branch, published in Kurdish and Arabic.
- Newroz: The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Belgium branch, published it in Kurdish.
- Voice: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Society, the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Sweden branch, published it in Kurdish and Arabic.
- Freedom: The Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Netherlands branch, published it. Issue 1 was published in 1985.
- Step: The organ of the Kurdish Students in Europe, Belgium branch, was published in Kurdish.
- The Union: The Union of Kurdish Students and Youth in Europe (YOKSI), Yugoslavia branch, published it in Arabic in 1986-1987.
- Calm: It was a general publication, the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Czechoslovakia branch, published it in Kurdish and Arabic. Issue 1 of the first year was published in 1986.
- Mahabad: It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, Bulgaria branch, published it.
- Voice of the Union: It was one of the publications of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, West Germany branch, published in Kurdish. Issue 1 was in March 1988..
- News of the Society/ KSSE: It was a publication of the Kurdish Students Society in Europe, published in Kurdish.
- The News Bulletin: It was one of the publications of the Kurdish Students Society in Germany, published as a publication after the Congress of Unification of Student Organizations. Issue 1 was published in January 1989 in Arabic.
- The Principle: It was a satirical publication, it seems it was published on occasions, containing many taunts and satires about the Society's Congress that was held in the city of Hanover.
- Chia: It was the magazine of the Kurdish Students Association in Europe. It is one of the three most important magazines of the Kurdish Students Association. It was published in the Kurmanji dialect.
- Raparin: This publication was issued by the Kurdish Students Association in Europe, Soviet Union branch, in Kurdish and Arabic.
- Kurdistan: It is the magazine of the Kurdistan Students Union in Europe, published in Kurdish.
- Kurdish Students Association program on Warsaw Radio: It was a weekly radio program of the Kurdish Students Association in Poland, broadcast in Kurdish for a short period on Warsaw Radio in 1962.
References:1- Ali Jafar, translated from Arabic by: Nabaz Rostam, Kurdish Students Association in Europe (Embassy of Kurdistan in Exile) 1949-1975, Rojhalat Printing House, Erbil, 2025.
2- Arif Rushdi Arif, Kurdish Students Association in Europe 1956- 1975, Sulaymaniyah, 2012.
3- Irfan Aziz Aziz, Journalism of the Kurdistan Students Union, Historical Series of the Kurdistan Students Union (2), first edition, Rojhalat Printing House, Erbil, 2012.
4- Nuzad Ali Ahmad, Journalism of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (Abroad), Shvan Printing House, Sulaymaniyah, 2010.
5- Nawzad Ali Ahmad, Journalism of Kurdish Students in Europe and America 1949-1991, first edition, Tishk Printing House, Cordology Center/ Sulaymaniyah, 2008.
6- Archive of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Encyclopedia Board.