Iran did not allow Mahsa Amini to use her Kurdish first name 'Jina'

Scherco R. Baban | Exclusive to iKurd.net

SAQEZ, Iranian Kurdistan,— The young Iranian Kurdish women Mahsa Amini, 22, who died earlier this month after being arrested in Tehran by “morality” police enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict restrictions on women’s dress, couldn’t officially use her Kurdish first name Jina, according to an official document received by iKurd from Scherco R. Baban.

The document states that it is denying an application of use the name Jina in Iran because it’s not Iranian.

This document was not specifically about Jina Amini, but about another application for the name Jina for a company.

The document, which was translated by Baban, stated:

“Department of Supervision of Public Places of Police Command of Fars Province

To: Honorable Director General of Islamic Culture and Guidance of Fars Province In relation to the naming of the sleeping service union.

With respect, the above-mentioned person intends to use the name “Jina” in order to name her trade union, so please consider and express your opinion on this matter. (feminine)

Response:

Correspondence has been made with the facilities department, and because it is non-Iranian and it is Kurdish so this name cannot be used and permission will not be issued.”

iKurd could not independently verify the authenticity of the document.

Since its founding in 1979, the Islamic regime has imposed discriminatory rules and laws on Kurds in all social, political, and economic spheres.

The Kurdish minority in Iran is primarily concentrated in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat), the country’s west and northwestern regions. They face discrimination in practicing their religious, economic, and cultural rights.

Parents are prohibited from registering their children with certain Kurdish names, and religious minorities that are predominantly or partially Kurdish face stigma and isolation.

Kurds face discrimination in their access to employment, adequate housing, and political rights, and as a result, they are trapped in poverty, further marginalizing them.

Kurdish human rights defenders, community activists, and journalists are frequently arrested and prosecuted arbitrarily. Others, including some political activists, face torture, grossly unfair trials before Revolutionary Courts, and the death penalty in some cases.

Iranian Kurdistan is home to an estimated 12 million Kurds.

Many Kurdish armed groups, such as PJAK, Komala and KDPI have been in conflict with the Iranian government for decades, and are seeking greater autonomy in Iranian Kurdistan. They took up arms to establish a semi-autonomous Kurdish regional entities or Kurdish federal states in Iran.

Scherco R. Baban, an independent researcher and analyst specializing in Kurdish Question and The Middle Eastern security, economical and cultural dynamics.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.