Authorities pressure Kurdish teacher Mehri Khosravizadeh for leading Kurdish anthems at Ferdows Elementary School in Javanrud

Hengaw – Tuesday, October 28, 2025

In a continuation of the Iranian authorities’ pressure on Kurdish educators, Mehri Khosravizadeh, a guidance counselor at Ferdows Girls’ Elementary School in Javanrud, has been barred from any career advancement or administrative promotion after her students performed the Kurdish songs “Don’t Leave Me Alone” (Be Tenya Jem Mehelin) and “The Path of Struggle” (Rey Xebat).

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, following the public performance of these anthems, Khosravizadeh—who supervised and accompanied the students—was repeatedly summoned and interrogated by the Intelligence Department of Javanrud. Although she has been allowed to continue teaching, she has been officially banned from professional promotion.

Zaitun Kahzadi, the school principal, was previously summoned by intelligence agencies and dismissed from her position over the same performances.

Both Khosravizadeh and Kahzadi have recently been charged with “propaganda against the state” by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Javanrud.

Khosravizadeh, who directed students in performing Kurdish songs, has in past years organized similar revolutionary and freedom-themed performances to commemorate events such as the anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack—including renditions of “Don’t Leave Me Alone” in traditional Kurdish dress and “The Path of Struggle.”

Hengaw previously reported that Zaitun Kahzadi was dismissed after a video of students performing “The Path of Struggle” circulated on social media. She now continues to teach at the same school, while education authorities have imposed a punitive monthly deduction of four million tomans from her salary.

According to informed sources, authorities had initially decided to expel both Khosravizadeh and Kahzadi from the provincial education system, but after internal reviews, the decision was downgraded to removal from administrative positions and revocation of promotion rights.

In recent years, the performance of Kurdish songs or teaching in the Kurdish language in schools has repeatedly triggered harsh security reactions and intensified pressure on teachers and school administrators across Kurdistan.