In the past two months, the Kurdistan Region has witnessed several initiatives related to ethnic and religious coexistence, the most significant of which was the National Prayer Breakfast held on April 23 in Erbil.
Several well-known personalities from different world religions participated in the event, with many emphasizing President Masoud Barzani’s assertion that the essence of religion is morality.
This issue of Kurdistan Chronicle contains several articles that highlight the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to embodying the concept of coexistence, and the many projects it has undertaken to this end. This approach has had an impact on stability and peace, especially in the broader context of the Middle East, which faces several major security, political, and environmental challenges.
Kurdistan Region President Nechrivan Barzani’s attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral on behalf of Iraq further emphasized the region’s dedication to upholding peaceful coexistence among all nationalities and religions as a universal message.
At the same time, during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reiterated the region’s readiness to pursue strategic political agreements with Middle Eastern partners, including collaboration on Iraq’s natural resources, as well as promoting peaceful resolutions to Kurdish issues in Turkey and Syria.
The disregard for Kurdish rights over the past century has led to severe consequences for the countries into which Kurdistan has been divided, including major humanitarian disasters such as the genocidal Anfal Campaign in Iraq. The dedication it takes to bring perpetrators to justice is explored in detail in an interview with Dutch activist Simon Minke.
The Kurdistan Region has always reaffirmed its commitment to stability and equality. Thanks to its people’s fierce spirit, it has made great achievements, such as Duhok SC’s recent victory in the Gulf Champions League.
The Kurdistan Region is not only rich in energy resources, but also in biodiversity. Mountain plants are a highly valued source of healthy food in the spring. Several articles on the richness of Kurdistan in terms of flora are featured in this issue.
In various articles, the artistic achievements of Kurds have been presented, such as the role of the tambur as both an instrument and a symbol of Kurdistan’s cultural spirit. In the field of music, Alan Arif’s journey to become one of the greatest violinists in the world is an inspiring tale of dedication and heritage.
In terms of gender, the Kurdistan Region has long worked to oppose violence against women. Moreover, women have become major figures in the management of the affairs of the Kurdistan Region; for example, Halabja’s Governor Noksha Nasih is the only woman governor in Iraq and has emerged as a role model in the field of provincial administration. Her governorate, Halabja, has shown that the role of women in this region has always had deep roots. In the past, Adila Khanum was one prominent example. Now, most of the governorate’s offices are largely run by women.
The people of the Kurdistan Region can become icons of success in other societies if they are given the opportunity. Rosa Salih in Scotland and Anwar Erdogan in Australia are prime stories of Kurdish success in the political spheres of their adoptive countries.
Agit Kabayel, a German boxer of Kurdish origin who is featured on the cover of this issue, shows his pride and delight at the beauty and progress of the Kurdistan Region in an interview.
In recent weeks, the whole world has feared a major conflict between India and Pakistan, two major nuclear powers, but in Kurdistan, Indians and Pakistanis live peacefully and play sports together, exemplifying the coexistence that makes the region a model on the global stage.
Marewan Hawrmay is the Co-publisher of Kurdistan Chronicle.
