It has been announced that YJA Star (Free Women’s Units) guerrilla Arvîn Çirav Botan (Şirin Işık), who left behind a legacy of migration, resistance, art and the search for freedom, fell as a martyr on April 10, 2018.

Born in Şırnak (Şirnex), Şirin migrated with her family to the Akdeniz district of Mersin after their village was burned due to increasing repression. Though she spent her childhood there, in a place unfamiliar to her, she never disconnected from her own culture.

In 2011, Şirin Işık received guitar training at the Mesopotamia Cultural Center (MKM). After completing her training, she continued working there as an instructor. With the organization of MKM, she performed in concerts. Following an eye operation, she turned her path toward the mountains.

Kadir Çat, who worked with Şirin Işık in cultural and artistic activities, stated that one of her favorite songs was Delîla’s piece ‘Şev Tarî’, noting that Şirin’s bond with art was reflected in this song.

Çat also said that Şirin Işık made rapid progress in her artistic work: “Comrade Şirin loved this song very much. She was not yet accustomed to holding the guitar, but when Martyr Delîla sang it, she would pick up the guitar and say, ‘Let’s sing this song together.’ This song had a special place for me, and especially for comrade Şirin. Even though I was older than her, her approach to work, her closeness to art, and her commitment to this movement were always unique. Her smile, her speech, her devotion, her friendship… everything about her had an impact on people.

How can a person bond and develop so quickly? Comrade Şirin made great progress within two to three years. Her work and her organizational abilities were remarkably strong.”

Instead of questioning, we supported her

Şirin’s mother, Cevahir Işık, spoke about the changes in her daughter’s life and the process they experienced, stating that she chose to support her daughter’s decisions rather than question them. She explained that with the 2014 attack by ISIS on Kobanê, her daughter’s thoughts and orientation began to change. Cevahir Işık added that her daughter underwent eye surgery during this period. After two weeks of rest, Şirin went to the mountains without even going back for a medical check-up.

Şirin was both fearless and talented

Zelal Işık, Şirin’s niece who studied with her at the MKM, said she remembered Şirin most for her courage and talent. She said, “I once got into a fight at school, and even then she was such a fearless girl. When I fought at school, she would come in front of everyone and defend me. It was the same for all of us. She was both fearless and very talented. She could succeed in anything in a short time. During the trainings, she would teach everyone how to bond within the very first week. We went with her to Batman and Diyarbakır (Amed), and we gave concerts in Mersin. Within a year she was no longer a student but someone giving lessons. Before leaving, she would always say, ‘I want to play the flute.’ She took flute lessons for two months and became very successful. At that time, she also began participating in party activities.

We trusted Şirin very much, and so did her family. There were times when she did not come home, but we knew what she was doing. We never questioned her because we knew her path was the right one. Yes, we missed her very much, and her mother was very sad, but everyone had endless trust in her. She even told her mother, ‘I feel sorrow, but it comes from within me; one day I will go.’”

Şirin’s sister, Fatma Işık, added: “When my sister left, I was very young, just 11 years old. She left us with beautiful memories. We are only proud of her.”

Şirin became an example through her life and practice

Cejna Saruhan, who studied with Şirin Işık at the MKM, said that most of their conversations during the days they spent together were about the women’s struggle. Cejna emphasized that Şirin displayed a sensitive and pioneering personality in this regard. Cejna said, “She defended the women’s struggle and believed that all women should defend their own will and their rights. Our conversations were generally about the women’s struggle anyway. With her stance and her practice, she was a woman who could lead the struggle of women. Through her life and her practice, she became an example for us.”

I found the essence of comradeship in her

A friend who worked with Şirin Işık, but who did not want to be named due to an ongoing case against them for “organization leadership,” said that Şirin impressed those around her with her courage. Şirin's friend also said, “Just saying Şirin is not enough. I truly found the essence of comradeship in her. That was the place that defined her, and she was aware of it. Yes, here she was courageous, a young woman who could influence those around her. She was aware of this and was able to do it here, but she always wanted to test herself there. She wanted to live in that field, in the place where she could experience more deeply the determination of the struggle. She often expressed this. And for that reason, she chose to go. She joined with all her emotional intensity, but also ideologically. That place defined her.”