Emel Ferhan (Zîlan Bêrîtan) was born in 1994 in Qamishlo, Rojava into a family committed to patriotic values. Emel's family, who wanted to raise their children with their own culture, always told them the story of the martyrs and their country. In this way, Emel Ferhan learned about the women's liberation struggle and the revolution in her country at a young age. In addition to the stories she listened to from her grandmother, her family witnessed many sufferings and persecutions. Seeing the suffering of her people, Emel felt that she owed her people and her country. On this basis, she achieved her goal by joining the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) in 2013 and changed her name to Zîlan and her surname to Bêrîtan. Her choice of the names of the two heroes of the women's liberation struggle showed her love and claim for freedom.

Zîlan Bêrîtan followed in the footsteps of martyrs Zîlan and Bêrîtan with her revolutionary stance. There was no ‘giving up’ in the life of Zîlan Bêrîtan, who was in love with her country. She took the path of resistance and struggle as a basis in every moment of her life. Zîlan Bêrîtan, loyal to the martyrs of the revolution, joined the armed struggle to be worthy of the martyrs and to protect her country. In the first year she joined the resistance, she took part in the operation for Serêkaniyê. She was seriously wounded in a clash, but did not see it as an obstacle to her struggle. She took the philosophy of free women, ‘She who fights becomes free, she who fights becomes beautiful, she who becomes beautiful is loved’ as her motto. If you have big goals, nothing can prevent this. Comrade Zîlan also had big goals and acted accordingly.

Due to the violent attacks of the invaders against Kurdistan, the war for freedom had become imperative. That is why thousands of Kurdistan youth joined this sacred struggle. Because the philosophy of this war is the love of free life, sacrifice for this cause is inevitable. In 2019, the fascist Turkish state turned towards Girê Spî and Serêkaniyê with a dirty plan. The Children of the Sun started the Resistance of Honour against the attacks on Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. The Turkish state and allied gangs committed all kinds of atrocities during the attacks. Hundreds of children, women, old men and women were burnt with chemical weapons. Words are not enough to describe the brutality of the Turkish state and the resistance put up against this brutality. There are no words strong enough to express the sacrifice of the people and the fighters. Many were martyred whilst fighting until their last breath to protect the honour of the people and the country.

In that historic resistance, Zîlan Bêrîtan was at the forefront of the struggle in the city of Sêrekaniyê. With her enthusiasm and morale, she became a source of strength for her friends. In that historic resistance, Zîlan Bêrîtan was saying, ‘Don't forget me, I am Zîlan’. Even if some people know that they will be martyred, they do not lose the smile on their faces until the last moment of their lives. It is impossible for history to forget these heroes. Even now, Zîlan's voice and smile wander the streets of Sêrekaniyê. Zîlan Bêrîtan, who fought against the enemy with faith and determination, was martyred on 17 October 2019 in the resistance against the Turkish state and joined the caravan of the immortals. Today, thousands of people walk in the footsteps of the martyr Zîlan and wage a struggle. Just as Zîlan Bêrîtan became a follower of martyrs, thousands of people are now Zîlan's followers. We will never forget you Zîlan Bêrîtan.