I Wish I Were Celebrating, Not Mourning Sardasht Osman

Bilal Ahmad Abdullah

I wish I could say we gathered today to celebrate the independence of Kurdistan to honor the triumph of a Kurdish youth who brought dignity to a free homeland. But instead, we commemorate Sardasht Osman — not because he failed, but because he dared.

Sardasht was not just a student or a journalist. He was a bold writer, fearless in confronting corruption and injustice in the highest places. He used words as weapons against tyranny, and for that, he was silenced.

Fifteen years have passed since his assassination, and the regime responsible remains intact a system run not by public will, but by thieves and gangsters disguised as leaders.

“You died, but we are alive,” we say to Sardasht. Yet truly living means continuing his legacy. It means raising our voices where he was forced to fall silent until justice speaks louder than fear.