Abdullah Öcalan was born on 4 April 1949, in the village of Amara in the Halfeti (Xelfetî) district of Urfa (Riha). Every year, the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas celebrate the birthday of their leader Öcalan. On the occasion of April 4, three members of the music group Koma Awazê Çiya not only performed songs but also shared their heartfelt reflections.

Xebat said: "4 April  is a day of celebration for all comrades, for the people of Kurdistan, for the peoples of the Middle East, and for all oppressed peoples. There are many reasons why this day is celebrated by millions. It may sound like a familiar phrase, but this is not just the birthday of an individual. It is the birthday of a people—of millions. There are many reasons for this. For the Kurdish people, Mr. Öcalan represents salvation from death and annihilation. That is why, on the day he was taken to Imralı, the question was asked: ‘How can you fit millions of people into a single prison cell?’ This question reflects the reality of Öcalan.

There has always been a deep spiritual bond between Mr. Öcalan and his people. This bond has never been broken; on the contrary, it has grown stronger over time. Especially on April 4, this connection reaches its most visible and powerful expression. When we look back at Kurdistan and the Middle East before the emergence of Öcalan, we see nothing but chaos, war, death, bloodshed, and suffering. His emergence changed this picture. That is why the Kurdish people embrace Mr. Öcalan with all their hearts. His birthday is seen as the birthday of the Kurdish people. This description may seem limited, but in truth, it can be said that it marks the birthday of all oppressed peoples.

Öcalan identified the Kurdish question and exposed the reality that the Kurdish people were facing cultural genocide. His emergence was, in essence, an uprising against that genocide. In one of his speeches, Öcalan said: ‘When I first heard Aram’s voice, I said to myself, this voice must not disappear.’ These words define culture. It finds expression through music, through the voice of a dengbêj, and through many other forms. These people are the people of Öcalan. That is why April 4 holds such profound meaning. On this basis, I say, may 4 April be a celebration for Öcalan, for all comrades, for the people of Kurdistan, and for the peoples of the Middle East."

Women and young people must especially claim April 4 as their own

Hedar said: "I join in celebrating April 4 for our people, all oppressed peoples, and our comrades, with the warmth of Newroz still in our hearts. Just as Newroz was embraced with colours, enthusiasm, and the warmth of fire, so too must April 4 be embraced in the same spirit. As our comrade Xebat said, we do not see this day as the birthday of an individual, nor do we approach it that way. Truly, the existence of Mr. Öcalan allowed us to create our own existence. Through his existence, we became aware of our own being. That is why this birthday is the birthday of the Kurdish people—and of all oppressed peoples. Because within the reality of Mr. Öcalan lies the representation of the oppressed peoples of the Middle East and the world. That is why we can say that April 4 is the day of humanity’s birth, a day to be celebrated.

Just as women led the way in Newroz celebrations with their colors and passion, they must do the same on 4 April—raising their voices, expressing their colors, claiming and celebrating the day as their own.

It is women who must embrace April 4 most strongly. Why? Because Mr. Öcalan has always emphasized, in his greetings and messages, the deep responsibilities placed on women’s shoulders. And it is women who have answered this call most fully, who have built lives in line with this vision, and who have led the way in every arena. That is why we are responsible for ensuring the physical freedom of Öcalan. We can turn April 4 into a step towards achieving his physical freedom. As women, it is we who must stand for Öcalan and for April 4 more than anyone. Once again, I celebrate April 4 with all my comrades, and especially with all the women in society."

Yilmaz said: "This year, we celebrated March 8 and Newroz with great enthusiasm. Truly, in all four parts of Kurdistan and among the diaspora, these days were marked with powerful energy and spirit. Now we are celebrating 4 April. We hope that April 4 will be embraced with the same passion and spirit as 8 March and Newroz were. This responsibility rests especially on the shoulders of young people. All young people must answer the call of Abdullah Öcalan. Mr. Öcalan represents a new philosophy, a vision of free life. He has said, ‘We began young, and we will succeed with the youth.’ The youth must recognize the duty and responsibility placed upon them. I celebrate this day first and foremost for Öcalan, for all our people, and for all comrades, and I wish for success on this path."