Kurdistan Chronicle has printed 100 Kurdish textbooks for the Salahadeen Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to aid the organization in its Kurdish-language courses. On October 6, 2024, the center held an opening ceremony to welcome parents and their children on the inaugural day of its Sunday school.

This marks three years since the Kurdish community in Harrisonburg established a weekend educational program that not only focuses on language instruction, but also introduces students to Kurdish culture. This initiative plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Kurdish heritage among the youth in the local community.

Kurdistan Chronicle printed and donated 100 Kurdish textbooks to the Salahadeen Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, helping over 76 students connect with their heritage. pic.twitter.com/Acwo2MA6E2

— Kurdistan Chronicle (@KurdChronicle) October 13, 2024

Zana Abdurhaman, the principal of the school, expressed gratitude to Kurdistan Chronicle for their generous donation of books. “We are fortunate that Kurdistan Chronicle has chosen to sponsor us this year,” he stated.

The center has enrolled over 80 students, supported by approximately 15 volunteer teachers. In addition to language instruction, these educators are dedicated to imparting the rich culture and history of the Kurdish people to the younger generation.

The textbooks adhere to the curriculum mandated by the Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Education for the center.

Botan Tahseen, the publisher of Kurdistan Chronicle, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting Kurdish communities in the global promotion of the Kurdish language and culture. “We printed these books for the Salahadeen Center to facilitate the ongoing education of children in both language and cultural studies,” he remarked.

Ardalan Mahmood, a parent, noted significant development in his children’s progress in learning Kurdish language.

“Protecting the Kurdish language is crucial; we must communicate and write in Kurdish and educate our children to do the same,” he said.

Parents expressed their enthusiasm as they actively participated alongside their children on the first day of school. Despite the fatigue that comes from a full five-day school week, the children, with their parents’encouragement, commit their Sundays to learning the Kurdish language.