ARAMAIC WATCH: The new Kurdish language department at Artuklu University in Turkey is also planning on opening a Syriac language program:

First Kurdish language department to accept students in 2010

(Today's Zaman)

Artuklu University in the southeastern province of Mardin plans to start accepting students to Turkey's first Kurdish language and literature department in 2010 after all the preparations are completed, the rector of the university has said.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, the rector of Artuklu University, Serdar Bedii Omay, said preliminary preparations for the department have been completed and that they plan to start their education program with 20 students in 2010.

... Omay explained that they have also started preparations to create a Syriac language department and have received great support both from within Turkey and the world at large. Syriac people populate the Middle East and have lived side-by-side with Muslims in peace and prosperity in Mardin for centuries.

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UPDATE: More Aramaic news: The Chaldean American Festival in Southfield Michigan.