Guerrilla Nudem, commemorating Martyr Qasim Engin, said that it is very difficult to describe a comrade like him: “Martyr Qasim did not fit into any mold; he had no limits. I met him in 2016 during media work. When I first saw him, because of his style and stance, I thought to myself, ‘He must be from Botan.’

Later, as we talked, he mentioned our village and said, ‘I have been to that village and even drank its water.’ Then he added, ‘Do not worry, I drank for you as well.’ I later learned that Comrade Qasim had spent a long time in the Botan region, and both the area and the people of Botan had left a deep impression on him.

That is why he often shared his memories of Botan. This is how we met, and we worked together for a long time. As time passed, we got to know each other even better.”

He would not waste even a single minute

As her friendship with Martyr Qasim Engin deepened, guerrilla Nudem explained that she discovered many different aspects of his character: “Martyr Qasim had a very fluid personality. He could become like a child with children, and like an elder with the elders. He had absorbed many qualities from President Öcalan’s style and stance, and he never kept what he had learned to himself; he always wanted to share it with those around him.

There was something about Comrade Qasim’s character that drew people in. For example, when we see flaws in a fellow Kurd, we usually either ignore the person or complain about them. But Martyr Qasim was not like that. He would take those whom we had written off by saying, ‘This person has too many problems, they cannot change,’ and help them overcome their flaws, allowing them to contribute in new ways.

This was one of the qualities that impressed me most about Comrade Qasim. He dedicated himself deeply to others. He built his personality around seeing people as valuable, investing in them, bringing out their potential, and showing love. He was a hardworking comrade who would not waste even a single minute.

Let me give an example: Before he fell as a martyr, Comrade Qasim came to visit us. At the time, I had several radio programs to prepare due to my ongoing work and needed to finish them quickly. Jokingly, I asked Comrade Qasim, ‘Can you do these programs for me?’ The next morning, my friends told me that Comrade Qasim had completed three programs and one article. That same night, he had also taken notes to evaluate our work and held discussions with friends about lifestyle issues.

His attitude and dedication filled me with deep admiration. With his approach, Comrade Qasim taught us how to invest in people and act with intelligence.”

He trained thousands of guerrillas

Guerrilla Nudem emphasized that Martyr Qasim Engin possessed profound knowledge in understanding people, analyzing personalities, and historical sociology: “Martyr Qasim was highly knowledgeable about the history of Kurdistan. He had clearly identified the effects of colonialism on Kurdish identity and trained thousands of cadres to overcome these influences. The title of Martyr Qasim’s book, History Is Now, carries deep meaning; it is also a quote from President Öcalan. President Öcalan uses this expression in the context of peoples’ struggles. I can say that Comrade Qasim embodied the meaning of this title and brought it to life through his actions.

He was always lively and energetic; he never stood still, constantly reading or engaging in some activity. You could see that none of his energy was wasted, it was always directed toward a purpose. He drew enthusiasm from the history of Kurdistan and applied President Öcalan’s statement, ‘History is now,’ both in his political and social analyses. Martyr Qasim was also a great educator.”

He had already become a legend while alive

Guerrilla Nudem stated that knowing Martyr Qasim Engin was a great privilege for her and continued: “Comrade Qasim had a very distinct ability to sense, understand, and develop programs suited to the needs of the moment. Even those who met him just once would be deeply affected. In fact, Comrade Qasim had already become a legend among all the comrades while he was still alive. His struggle in the 1990s in Nurhak, Amanos, and Binboğa was spoken of like a legend. Later, wherever he went, he left his mark and created an impact.

All of these qualities were part of Comrade Qasim’s social character, and this was how he lived. Being social means considering the needs of society in every aspect, developing policies accordingly, and finding appropriate paths and methods. Comrade Qasim possessed all of these qualities and deepened them throughout his life.

I can say that Comrade Qasim developed himself in a multifaceted way. At times he was a commander, at times a worker, at times a teacher, and at times a philosopher. He had built a revolutionary personality within himself and was a professional revolutionary.”

Maybe we will not see each other again...

Guerrilla Nudem explained that in the presence of Martyr Qasim Engin, it was impossible to feel demoralized or angry: “Comrade Qasim had a great sense of humor. His energy and enthusiasm would instantly affect those around him because his emotions were very strong.

I remember, before he was martyred, he was going to visit us. While saying goodbye to Comrade Erdal, who later fell as a martyr in Xakurkê in 2022, Comrade Erdal had said, ‘We will see each other again.’ But Comrade Qasim replied, ‘Maybe we will not see each other again.’ After Comrade Qasim was martyred, Comrade Erdal was deeply affected by these words. Comrade Qasim had sensed it; his intuition was very strong.”

Guerrilla Nudem, who said she had many memories with Martyr Qasim Engin, shared one of them: “In the winter of 2016, in Xinêre, Comrade Qasim, I, and a few other friends set out for a mission. On the way back, there was heavy snow. The friends called for a vehicle, and when it arrived, we all got in. We were sitting in the back, and Comrade Qasim was sitting in the front. After a while, Comrade Qasim suddenly stopped the vehicle. We realized we were on the edge of a cliff. Only Comrade Qasim had noticed it. He got out and carefully helped each of us get out safely. Then we continued on foot.

Because of the snow and the heavy load, I started struggling a bit. I clearly remember that Comrade Qasim kept stopping to wait for me. He wanted to carry my load, but I refused to give it to him. Then Comrade Qasim said, ‘If you do not walk faster, I will leave you behind.’ At first, I did not understand why he said that, since he kept waiting for me. Later I realized that Comrade Qasim had walked ahead, and I had to walk quickly to catch up with the others. By the time we reached them, an avalanche had fallen and the snow had piled up heavily. Only afterward did I understand that if Comrade Qasim had not used that method, we might not have been able to get out of the snow until nightfall.

Comrade Qasim’s companionship was always fulfilling, both in joy and in sorrow. He was very sensitive about principles. When he saw something wrong, he would criticize it and also offer self-criticism. Even when he faced health problems, he would never complain or sigh. Looking at Comrade Qasim made you want to belong to him. Comrade Qasim lived a revolutionary life fully and completely; he left a profound mark.”