Deniz Undav and the Hope of the Kurds
The goals scored by Deniz Undav were more than sporting achievements. For millions of Kurds around the world, they became moments of pride, recognition, and hope. With every goal, Undav represented not only Germany but also served as a bridge between the Kurdish people and their second homeland.
Today, the German flag is present not only in Germany and Kurdistan. Through Deniz Undav, it has found a place in the homes and hearts of many Kurds—from Europe to North America, from Lebanon to Yemen, and wherever Kurdish communities live.
For many Kurds, Germany symbolizes freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. That is why Undav’s success was celebrated far beyond football stadiums. It was seen as an expression of a sense of belonging that has grown over generations.
Yet this bond also creates political expectations. Germany should not take the sympathy and trust of many Kurds for granted. The time has come to transform this trust into a policy that clearly supports the Kurdish people’s right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.
This also requires a willingness to critically reassess the traditional German-Turkish military partnership. A policy that gives greater weight to human rights, democracy, and the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people would not be a step against Turkey, but a step toward peace and stability in the region.
The Kurds are not asking for privileges. They seek only those rights that are considered fundamental for all peoples: the right to security, cultural identity, political participation, and the freedom to shape their own future.
The goals of Deniz Undav have opened a door. It is now up to political leaders in Berlin to walk through it. Those who wish to earn the friendship and trust of the Kurdish people must demonstrate a genuine commitment to their rights.
That would be the right stance for peace, for human dignity, and for the freedom of a people that has struggled for recognition for generations.
By Akram Naasan
Afrin Times