Extensive Participation of Kurdish Civil Society Organizations in the Meissen Seminar
Meissen, Germany / Special Report: Our Community Newspaper
A large delegation of Kurdish civil society organizations in Germany participated in the Meissen Seminar, entitled "What is Zionism?", organized by the Kurdish Community in Germany (Kurdische Gemeinde Deutschland – KGD) on December 13 and 14, 2025, at the Monastery of St. Afra in Meissen. The seminar brought together researchers, activists, and representatives from civil society organizations from diverse backgrounds.
This participation reflects the commitment of Kurdish civil society organizations to engage with intellectual and academic events addressing sensitive and contemporary issues, contributing to public discussions related to identity, pluralism, and combating racism, and promoting a culture of dialogue and peaceful coexistence within European societies.
The Kurdish delegation included representatives from numerous civil society organizations and Kurdish alliances. It was led by Dr. Ezzeddin Fandi, President of the German International Organization for Development and Peace, and Professor Sabri Rashid Arif, a member of the administrative board of the Geostrategic Organization for Kurdish Civil Society, along with dozens of members of the Kurdistan Civil Society Alliance, who attended the various sessions and workshops of the symposium.
The two-day symposium program included lectures, in-depth discussions, and interactive workshops that addressed the intellectual and political topics discussed from historical, intellectual, and political perspectives. These topics ranged from the origins of the concept of "theology" in 19th-century Europe, through the development of its various currents, to its relationship with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, and the repercussions of this on the reality of the Middle East.
The symposium also discussed the impact of World War II and the Holocaust on political and intellectual transformations in Europe, as well as issues related to conflicts and wars in the Middle East, and the changes Israeli society has undergone in terms of its demographic structure and religious and cultural pluralism.
In its contemporary focus, the symposium emphasized the distinction between Judaism as a religion and the political ideologies under discussion, and antisemitism as a form of racism and hate speech, while stressing the importance of the role of civil society organizations in confronting stereotypes and building awareness strategies based on knowledge and ethical responsibility.
The symposium witnessed active participation from members of the Kurdish delegation, who contributed to the discussions, posed questions, and offered insightful comments reflecting a clear interest in the symposium's themes. They emphasized the commitment of Kurdish civil society organizations to human rights values, their rejection of all forms of racism and discrimination, and their dedication to promoting a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding.
The symposium also provided an opportunity for participants from diverse backgrounds to exchange experiences and perspectives, and contributed to strengthening communication between Kurdish civil society organizations and their counterparts in other civil institutions in Germany.
At the conclusion of the symposium, the Kurdish delegation members expressed their appreciation to the organizers for the excellent preparation and organization, stressing the importance of continuing to organize and participate in such intellectual and awareness-raising events, given their role in raising societal awareness, promoting coexistence, and building bridges of trust and communication between different segments of society.
This broad participation of Kurdish civil society organizations reflects their growing interest in organized civic engagement and their pursuit of a positive and responsible role in the European public sphere, serving the values of democracy, pluralism, and social peace.
The Kurdistan Civil Society Alliance (HCK) consists of a group of organizations active at the local and international levels, namely: the Geostrategic Kurdish Civil Society, the Kurdish-Austrian Women’s Association, the German International Organization for Development and Peace, Komli Zozan Folklore, Human Rights - Afrin, Syria, the Free Intellectuals Gathering, and the Geostrategic Studies Network.
