Derya Ren

 

NEWS CENTER - MSD Egypt Co-Spokesperson Leyla Siwar said, “Many intellectuals living here and reading Mr. Abdullah Öcalan argue that this call will bring peace to all the peoples of the Middle East. However, they believe that peace in the Middle East will be achieved through the resolution of the Kurdish issue.”

 

Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on February 27 and the subsequent process have created a positive atmosphere in Kurdistan and Turkey, while also raising hopes in other countries in the Middle East. In Egypt, one of the countries with diplomatic tensions with Turkey, the people also believe that the call and the subsequent process will bring peace to all the peoples of the Middle East.

 

Leyla Siwar, Co-Spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Councils (MSD) in Egypt, spoke to JINNEWS about the struggle of Egyptian women and how the Peace and Democratic Society Call made by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the subsequent process have been received in Egypt.

 

Women's Struggle in Egypt

 

Leyla Siwar said that women's struggles take on different dimensions in every country and region. She noted that these struggles vary according to societal differences and lifestyles. She said, "Egyptian women and Kurdish women are very different from each other. Women in Egypt have gained certain rights. Although institutions have granted women certain rights, there are shortcomings in terms of their implementation. Women's identities are recognized in Egypt, but Kurdish women are still fighting for theirs. On the other hand, women in Egypt can register their children under their own names. However, this right is still not recognized in many countries. Women have also reached a certain stage in terms of the country's governance.

 

'The struggle for women is one and the same'

 

Leyla Siwar emphasizes that social codes still exist. She says, "In Egypt, women continue to fight to change the male-dominated mindset's view of women." We cannot say that women in Egypt have achieved complete freedom, but they have achieved some success. The reality is that women's struggles are one and the same. With the experiences we have learned from, we can grow and develop each other even more.”

 

'Women are involved in politics in Egypt'

 

Siwar pointed out that women have established institutions in all areas of society, which has had a significant impact on the struggle. "Women also have a certain place in state institutions. Previously, women's participation in politics was not welcomed. Now, however, we see that women are involved in politics and can speak for themselves. Of course, this is not enough, but it is a start. We must not forget the reality of the Middle East, where there are still many shortcomings in terms of democracy. The women's movement is progressing differently as well. Women need to develop a strategy for these issues and the gains they have achieved."

 

Turkey's influence on Egypt

 

Leyla Siwar pointed out that Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan's “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” was positively received in Egypt, saying, "If an environment of peace and democracy is established in Turkey, the entire Middle East will be affected. Egypt's experience with Turkey has been a painful one. Turkey interfered in the internal affairs of many Arab countries, particularly Egypt, and created chaos. Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt caused great suffering in the country. The Muslim Brotherhood's rise to power caused the Egyptian people to suffer greatly. Egypt sees the dangers of Turkey's Misak-i Milli and Ottoman caliphate project. For this reason, Egypt rejected Turkey's diplomatic offers. Economically, yes, there have been some initiatives. However, the level of trust in Turkey is very low."

 

The effects of the February 27 call in Egypt

 

Leyla Siwar emphasized that Turkey has implemented policies aimed at increasing its influence in Arab countries. She stated, "If Turkey achieves internal peace, it will demonstrate significant external influence. The Egyptian people will also change their reactions and attitudes toward Turkey if peace is achieved." They find Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's call democratic. They also express the need for such a call in the Middle East. Leaders of opinion, politicians, and artists are closely following the process that has begun and want it to reach a positive conclusion. Many intellectuals living here who read Mr. Öcalan's work argue that his call will bring peace to all peoples of the Middle East. However, they believe that peace in the Middle East will be achieved by resolving the Kurdish issue.”

 

‘Abdullah Öcalan’s project gives hope to the people’

 

Leyla Siwar said, “The Egyptian people strongly criticized Turkey’s stance when Mr. Abdullah Öcalan was imprisoned,” and concluded by saying, “Many writers penned works during that period. And many initiatives were launched to resolve the Kurdish issue. They express their views that the Kurdish issue should be resolved through dialogue rather than conflict. Developments in the Middle East since 2011 have revealed how vital the system proposed by Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is. They know that the projects the rulers are trying to implement in the Middle East will not benefit the people. And many countries are facing collapse because of these projects. For this reason, the project presented by Abdullah Öcalan represents hope for all peoples."