A Grandmother Who Dreamed of “Dying for Freedom”
Kobra Sheikheh Saqqa was one of the victims of Iran’s nationwide protests in 2022.
Born in August 1963 in the rural village of Di Mela in the Kurdish region of western Iran, Kobra lived a life of hardship and resilience. She married at the age of 13 and was already a mother of three by 18. She worked diligently alongside her family, helping with agriculture and livestock, contributing significantly to their livelihood.
Known for her soothing, heartfelt voice, Kobra’s lullabies were often tinged with tears as she sang to her grandchildren. Her radiant smile was ever-present in all her photos, a testament to her enduring spirit. Locally, she was lovingly referred to as “Dayeh Kobra,” a term of respect meaning “Mother Kobra.”
On October 26, 2022, Kobra was shot to death during the funeral procession for Samko Moloudi, one of the early victims of the protests in Mahabad, a city in the Kurdish region of northwestern Iran. The event turned tragic as government security forces opened fire on the mourners. She was struck down by a direct shot, becoming another casualty of the brutal crackdown.
Kobra’s home was in the heart of the protests on Karagar Street in Mahabad. She actively supported protesters, regularly supplying masks and headscarves to protect their identities. She could not bear to watch young people being targeted and remained determined to help.
During the bloodiest clashes between Mahabad’s residents and the regime’s forces on that fateful day, Kobra Sheikheh Saqqa was shot in the neck from close range as she stood in her doorway. The bullet shattered her shoulder and exited, striking her front door. The brutality of the regime’s tactics was painfully clear in the proximity and force of the shot that ended her life.
In the aftermath, Mahabad’s governor and local security officials repeatedly pressured Kobra’s husband through phone calls, demanding that he submit documentation to have her registered as a “martyr of the Islamic Republic.” But he refused, firmly rejecting any association of his wife with a regime that had caused her death.
Kobra’s funeral on October 27, 2022, at Bagh-e Ferdows Cemetery in Mahabad, transformed into a massive anti-government demonstration. Her loss resonated profoundly within the community, embodying the courage of everyday citizens in their fight for freedom. Kobra Sheikheh Saqqa’s legacy lives on as a symbol of defiance and sacrifice in the pursuit of justice.
