President Barzani Offers Condolences on Death of Kurdish Figure Mehdi Zana
The Kurdish leader mourns former mayor of Amed and expresses solidarity with Zana’s family, including his wife Leyla Zana
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani on Saturday expressed his condolences over the death of Mehdi Zana, a prominent Kurdish figure and former mayor of Amed, known today as Diyarbakir.
In a condolence message dated August 29, Barzani said he received the news of Zana’s death with deep sorrow and extended his condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
“With great sorrow, I received the news of the passing of the patriotic and activist Kurdish figure and former mayor of Amed, Mehdi Zana,” Barzani said in his message.
Barzani also conveyed his condolences to Zana’s family and specifically addressed his wife, Leyla Zana, describing her as his “respected sister,” while expressing solidarity with all those mourning his death.
“I consider myself a partner in their grief,” Barzani said.
He prayed for Zana’s soul to rest in eternal paradise and asked God to grant patience and solace to his family and all those affected by his death.
The message concluded with the Islamic condolence phrase: “Indeed, we belong to God, and indeed to Him we shall return.”
Mehdi Zana was a prominent Kurdish political figure who served as mayor of Amed during a politically turbulent period in Türkiye. His political career and imprisonment made him a notable figure in the history of Kurdish political activism in the country.
His wife, Leyla Zana, is also a prominent Kurdish political figure and former member of the Turkish parliament who has been a longstanding advocate for Kurdish political and cultural rights.
Barzani’s condolence message reflects the longstanding political and personal connections among prominent Kurdish figures across the Kurdistan Region and Kurdish-populated areas of Türkiye.