An association may face closure by the Turkish authorities if it refuses to remove the letter “x” from its official name in Cizre.

Turkish authorities filed a legal investigation Mir Celadet Bediexan Culture-Art and History Association for the “x” letter. Turkish law prohibits usage of “x” “w” and “q” letters on grounds of “protecting Turkish language”.

While these three letters is not in the Turkish alphabet, they are present in Kurdish alphabet. But Turkish authorities still ignores this fact and prohibits any usage of “x” “w” and “q”.

In the past Turkish authorities banned invitations of Newroz, Kurdish new year, because of the letter “w”.

Siyar Ozalp from the association said although the letters are being used in government-run Kurdish tv channel TRT 6, they are facing investigation and the association may face closure by the Turkish state if they refuse to remove the letter “x”.

He said they will start a legal struggle and are not considering to change the name of the association.