The History of the September Revolution in the Publications of the Kurdish Students` Society in Europe – KSSE 1961-1970

Abstract

During the 1940´s and 1950´s of the Twentieth Century, the Kurdish people experienced a new form of organizational, professional and political movements. One of those exemplary professional and interest group associations, that is the center of special Kurdish pride, is the establishment of The Kurdish Students` Society in Europe – KSSE. This student organization was a vital center for spreading knowledge and information about the Kurdish Question and the Kurdish Movement, abroad. In publishing these materials about the activities, publications and work of this student association, we are amazed at the lack of attention paid to the efforts and struggle of this organization that could do justice to its work and importance. This student organization constituted, in reality, the role of an embassy and a diplomatic representation for the Kurdish National Liberation Movement “Kurdayati”. The history of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Iraq and the history of the Kurdish Students´ Society in Europe are intertwined. Writing a history of KSSE, that does not touch upon its comprehensive and strong support for the September Revolution of 1961 in Iraqi Kurdistan , would be insufficient. In order to attract and gain the support of international public opinion, the Kurdish Students` Society in Europe – KSSE distributed most of the news and statements of the September Revolution in many international languages, like Arabic, English, French, Russian, and German, etc. In this research, I have relied mainly on the original documents of KSSE between 1956-1975 concerning their support for the September Revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan. It consists of two parts. In the first part, I deal with the establishment of the student organization, its annual meetings and congresses, its activities as a student organization and its relations with the September Revolution. In the second part, I present a content analysis of the documents and publications of KSSE to ascertain the degree of their support for the September Revolution. In similarity with other academic works, I have benefited and used multiple sources for my research. The details are presented at the end of the research.