News Center – The city of Qamishlo bid farewell to Hevi Suleiman, a member of the Star Congress Coordination in Afrin–Shahba Canton, who passed away after a long battle with a serious illness.
On Tuesday, October 28, the activist Hevi Suleiman passed away following a long struggle with cancer. She was among the first teachers to teach the Kurdish language in Aleppo during 2010 and 2011, and was one of the key figures in founding the Kurdish Language Institute.
In a statement, the Coordination Committee of the Star Congress in North and East Syria expressed its condolences, saying:
“With great sorrow and grief, we received the news of the martyrdom of our comrade Hevi Suleiman, member of the Star Congress Coordination Committee. Her passing is a great loss for the people of North and East Syria and for our struggle for women’s freedom. It also leaves a painful void for our people in Afrin and Aleppo. She led a revolutionary path that spanned more than thirty years, marked by perseverance and dedication, without hesitation or fatigue.”
The statement emphasized that Hevi Suleiman dedicated her life to her dream that no woman in the world should remain oppressed or unorganized, noting that she devoted all her energy to achieving the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, taking part directly in the Committee for Physical Freedom, and struggling for years toward that goal.
The Congress added that:
“Hevi Suleiman stood by Leader Abdullah Öcalan and participated in his trainings. She was a tireless fighter for the freedom of her people and their leader. In her life, she embodied the ideal of the dedicated, hardworking, and noble mother—a role model for all women.”
The statement also noted that Hevi Suleiman never hesitated to go wherever organization was needed, fulfilling her duties with sincerity and devotion. Despite all hardships, she achieved tangible results in her work. As a Kurdish language teacher, she helped educate many children and instilled in them a sense of patriotism.
She was also a cultured and knowledgeable figure, with deep understanding in research, education, and politics. She taught in many academies, educating hundreds of students, and became an inspiring model in struggle, education, and patriotism.
The Star Congress stressed that Hevi Suleiman was a true example of a revolutionary woman, always ready to respond to the call of organization with creativity and sincerity. She carried forward the legacy of the struggling women of North and East Syria, especially in Afrin, and remained steadfast in her principles despite all challenges and circumstances.
Born and raised amid displacement, Hevi Suleiman faced her homeland’s suffering with open eyes, drawing strength from her experience to continue her struggle with unyielding determination against occupation. She came from a patriotic family known for its sacrifices for freedom and its ongoing dedication and loyalty.
The Congress also highlighted that Hevi Suleiman belonged to the Alawite community, and firmly believed in the need to organize Alawite women and empower them to resist their oppressors and participate actively in the struggle.
“She felt the pain of women deeply,” the statement said, “and her struggle was directed toward building a democratic Syria where women live in freedom and independence. With steadfast faith, our comrade continued her struggle until her last breath for the freedom and aspirations of women.”
The statement concluded:
“Today, we bid farewell to our comrade Hevi Suleiman — the great activist, the devoted teacher, the sincere revolutionary, and the noble mother, member of the Star Congress Coordination Committee — with all our feelings of loyalty. We salute Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the people of Kurdistan, her revolutionary family, and our people in North and East Syria, Afrin, and Aleppo.”
In conclusion, the Star Congress announced that Hevi Suleiman will be immortalized as a “Martyr of the Star Congress”, affirming:
“We will continue the struggle of Martyr Hevi Suleiman until victory, and we will redouble our efforts to fulfill her dreams.”