Yesterday, May 12, marked the anniversary of the execution of Leyla Qasim, a Feyli Kurdish activist who fought against the Iraqi Ba'ath regime. Leyla was executed on May 2nd, 1974, in Baghdad after being accused of attempting to hijack a plane and planning to kill Saddam Hussein.

Leyla Qasim is still remembered as a national martyr among the Kurdish people, and her legacy lives on. She was born in Khanaqin but moved to Erbil when she was four years old. Leyla and her brother were taught Arabic and agriculture by their mother when they were children.

Leyla was disturbed by the violent takeover of the Iraqi government by the Ba'ath party leader, General Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, in 1968. She and her brother Çiyako wrote pamphlets on the horrors of the Ba'ath party, including their opposition to Kurdish independence and the leadership of Saddam Hussein.

In 1970, Leyla joined the Kurdistan Students Union and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, continuing her activism against the Ba'ath regime. However, on April 28th, 1974, she was detained along with four others and accused of attempting to hijack a plane. She was arrested, tortured, and ultimately hanged on May 12th, 1974, after a show trial that was broadcast throughout Iraq.

Leyla Qasim was the first woman to be executed by the Iraqi Ba'ath party. Her bravery and sacrifice have inspired many Kurdish families, who have named their children after her. Every year, on the anniversary of her death, many Kurds remember her and honor her legacy.

In Kelar, there exists a Leyla Qasim Park, which serves as a testament to her enduring influence on the Kurdish people. Her memory continues to be a source of inspiration for those who fight for justice and freedom in Iraq and around the world. please insttead of yesterday only mention the day