Mr. Mustafa Hijri is the current leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI). Mr. Hijri was born in 1945 in Nagahadeh. He graduated from the Teachers\u2019 College of Agriculture in Urmiye in 1963 and took up a post as a secondary school teacher in the city of Saghez. In 1970, he started studying Persian literature at Tehran University, where he obtained a Bachelor\u2019s Degree. On returning to his hometown, he started teaching at a secondary schools and a college.<\/p>\n
Mr. Hijri played a prominent role in the demonstrations in 1978 against the Shah\u2019s regime. After the revolution, he ran in the first parliamentary elections in the constituencies of Naghadeh and Oshnavieh, where he won over 80% of the votes. But the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran rejected the results, and on the 17th of August 1979 Ayatollah Khomeini issued an Islamic decree, Fatwa, declaring \u201choly war\u201d against the Kurdish people and labeled the PDKI the \u201cparty of Satan\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Hijri was elected into the PDKI leadership at the party\u2019s 4th Congress in 1979; he was later elected into the executive committee of the party. Following the assassination of the PDKI leader Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou in 1989 by Iran, during peace negotiations, in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Sadegh Sharafkandi was elected as the new leader of the party and Mr. Mustafa Hijri as his deputy.<\/p>\n
In September 1992 Dr. Sharafkandi was also assassinated by Iranian agents in Berlin, Germany. After the assassination of Dr. Sharafkandi, Mr. Hijri became interim party leader until the 10th congress of the PDKI in 1995. Between the 10th and 13th congress of the PDKI, Mr. Hijri was deputy party leader and since the 13th party congress in 2006 he was elected to lead the party. In the party\u2019s 15th congress in 2012, Mr. Hijri was reelected to lead the party for four more years.<\/p>\n
Mr. Hijri himself has survived several assassination attempts. The latest attempt on his life was as recent as 2007. Mr. Hijri is known and appreciated by his supporters as well as political opponents to be a man of principles. In a Middle East region where the violation of principles is the cherished norm and where violence is the preferred and prioritized means of resolving conflicts, Mr. Hijri has consistently called for a new political culture to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the region\u2019s conflicts. While the leaders of PDKI, including Mr. Hijri, are not pacifists and have defended the rights and interests of the Kurdish nation through armed struggle, they nevertheless believe that genuine peace and stability could only be achieved if the peoples of the region recognize the rights of each other and engage in political dialogue and negotiations to find solutions on fair terms to longstanding issues and problems.<\/p>\n
Since Iran is one of the most important countries in the Middle East, Mr. Hijri has in his speeches and writings emphasized the need for solidarity and mutual respect among Iranian opposition groups in pursuit of ending the dictatorship in the country. Mr. Hijri has since 2004 called for a federal democracy that reflects and constitutionally protects the rights and interests of the various ethnic, national and religious communities within the borders of Iran. A federal and democratic Iran, Mr. Hijri has argued, could ensure that Iran is at peace with itself and the plays the role of a constructive member in the international community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mr. Mustafa Hijri is the current leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI). Mr. Hijri was born in 1945 in Nagahadeh. He graduated from the Teachers\u2019 College of Agriculture in Urmiye in 1963 and took up a post […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mustafa-Hijri.png?fit=576%2C470&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p12yuy-17J","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7167,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/pdki-leader-mustafa-hijri-stresses-the-significance-of-the-alliance-of-political-forces-of-iranian-kurdistan\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":0},"title":"PDKI Leader Mustafa Hijri Stresses the Significance of the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan","author":"Ali","date":"March 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In a televised statement, PDKI leader Mustafa Hijri emphasized the importance of the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, declaring that the Kurdish nation\u2019s long-held aspiration for political unity had at last been realized. Hijri underscored that the Alliance\u2019s formation comes at a decisive turning point in the region\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest2"","block_context":{"text":"Latest2","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-11-e1772485408521.jpg?fit=1179%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-11-e1772485408521.jpg?fit=1179%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-11-e1772485408521.jpg?fit=1179%2C518&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-11-e1772485408521.jpg?fit=1179%2C518&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-11-e1772485408521.jpg?fit=1179%2C518&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3790,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/pdki-leader-meets-u-s-senators-and-members-of-congress\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":1},"title":"PDKI Leader Meets U.S. Senators and Members of Congress","author":"akamr","date":"March 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Mustafa Hijri, leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), visited Germany at the end of May and met with German officials. Mr. Hiri is currently in the United States and has held meetings with members of U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. senators and human rights organizations\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Foreign Relation Activities & Reports"","block_context":{"text":"Foreign Relation Activities & Reports","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/foreign-relation\/activities-reports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Hidjri-visits-Germany.png?fit=620%2C284&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Hidjri-visits-Germany.png?fit=620%2C284&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Hidjri-visits-Germany.png?fit=620%2C284&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6842,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/new-years-message-by-pdki-leader-mustafa-hijri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":2},"title":"New Year’s Message by PDKI leader Mustafa Hijri","author":"Ali","date":"January 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"I would like to sincerely congratulate all Christians around the world, especially those in Kurdistan, on the arrival of the new year, 2026. This new year begins at a time when the Islamic Republic of Iran is in a state of clear weakness, erosion, and deep political and management deadlock\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest"","block_context":{"text":"Latest","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Mustafa-Hidgri-2.jpg?fit=620%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Mustafa-Hidgri-2.jpg?fit=620%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Mustafa-Hidgri-2.jpg?fit=620%2C412&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5361,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/73rd-anniversary-of-the-democratic-party-of-iranian-kurdistan\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":3},"title":"73rd Anniversary of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan","author":"Ali","date":"August 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, or PDKI. The 73rd anniversary of PDKI was celebrated at one of the party\u2019s bases in Kurdistan. Mustafa Hijri, the leader of PDKI, delivered a speech on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the party, in which\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest2"","block_context":{"text":"Latest2","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG-20180816-WA0004.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG-20180816-WA0004.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG-20180816-WA0004.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG-20180816-WA0004.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG-20180816-WA0004.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5250,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/pdki-leader-iran-nuclear-deal-is-in-a-state-of-coma\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":4},"title":"PDKI Leader: \u201dIran Nuclear Deal is\u00a0In a\u00a0State of\u00a0Coma\u201d","author":"Ali","date":"May 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In a recent article, PDKI leader Mustafa Hijri writes that the Iran nuclear deal is in a\u00a0state of coma, and may cease to exist.\u00a0He hints\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0is an open question whether\u00a0foreign companies, especially European companies,\u00a0will\u00a0manage to shield the Iranian regime from\u00a0the impact of ensuing American sanctions or whether they will join the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/mustafa-hijri\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hijri2.jpg?fit=500%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6201,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/statement-by-mustafa-hijri-head-of-the-executive-center-of-pdki\/","url_meta":{"origin":4323,"position":5},"title":"Statement by Mustafa Hijri head of the executive center of PDKI","author":"Ali","date":"November 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Freedom seeking people of Kurdistan! Unfortunately, a large number of our children have been martyred and injured during the struggle in our cities. The uprising in Kurdistan has shown that the Kurdish nation continues to stand firm on its own accord in order to end all forms of oppression, suppression\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest"","block_context":{"text":"Latest","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Kak-Mustafa.jpg?fit=345%2C468&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4323"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4323"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4328,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4323\/revisions\/4328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}