The river is considered by the people of Khanaqin as a symbol for their unity and Kurdish identity.

The Government, for its part, considers even peaceful attempts to assert Kurdish identity as threats to national unity.

Newroz is still largely considered as a potent symbol of Kurdish identity in Turkey.

Station managers say it would be a step toward destroying Kurdish identity.

Thus, it has sought to temper a long tradition of denying the very existence of a separate Kurdish identity.

Otherwise, is this the right way to guarantee the promotion of Kurdish identity?

Dozens of people spoke bitterly about what they said was the government's refusal to recognize their Kurdish identity.

The Government goes so far as to reject the very notion of a distinct Kurdish identity.

However the Kurds do not agree with this concept, as they prefer a regional government explicitly built on the Kurdish identity.

The Kurdish identity remains the strongest of the many minorities in modern Turkey.