Kurdish youth in the diaspora have a responsibility to embrace our heritage and promote Kurdistan in daily life, not only to keep our culture alive, but also to educate non-Kurds about our history and struggle.

One such Kurd aiming to promote Kurdistan through fashion is Omar Rashad, known as Shaz by his family and close friends. He was born in Portsmouth, UK in 2001, to a family originally from Sulaymaniyah and Erbil in Kurdistan. He later moved to study computer science at university in London.  

He balances full-time work as a software tester with running his streetwear brand, Bekas. Bekas is deeply inspired by Kurdistan – its vibrant history, culture, resilient spirit, and profound artistic traditions. Each piece tells a story about the Kurdish people, showcasing an often-overlooked culture. His love for Kurdistan runs deep, and he returns at least once a year to visit family there.  

How Bekas began 

At first, Rashad designed the clothes simply out of his own love for Kurdistan, with no intention of creating his own brand. In May 2024, he started researching and creating design mock-ups. When his manufacturer informed him that they could only produce the garments if he committed to purchasing a larger quantity of stock, he committed, and so Bekas was born. 

Rashad chose the name ‘Bekas’ – literally meaning ‘without anyone’ – for his brand. This was simple, memorable, and resonated with Kurds around the world. There are many slogans about how Kurds are always alone, such as “Kurds have no friends but the mountains.” Since Rashad would manage the brand on his own, he himself would embody its meaning.

By July 2024, he created his first social media post with samples of his clothes. Based on the responses, he ordered the most popular design, the ‘Halabja t-shirt’. That initial release took a long time to sell, leaving him close to quitting. Yet Rashad decided to give it another shot and ordered a new design, the “Her Biji Kurdistan” hoodie. It was a big risk financially, but it paid off. The design was a success, selling out in less than two weeks. 

Rashad saw the overwhelmingly positive feedback – along with how proud it made people to be Kurdish – and fell in love with the brand and community it was creating. This newfound love pushed him to take Bekas more seriously and to continue telling stories through fashion. 

As the brand grew, Rashad created an official logo. After multiple drafts, he arrived at a re-designed version that embodies the famous saying “2+2=1” by the president of the Republic of Mahabad Qazi Muhammad, connecting all four parts of Kurdistan into one simple and elegant design. 

Giving back 

Since Rashad never intended to build a business out of Bekas, he felt it was important to stay true to his values and make sure it had a purpose beyond fashion by donating 10% of the profits to charity. Kurds know what struggle, displacement, and hardship feel like, and he wanted the brand to reflect Kurdish compassion.  

So far, Bekas has supported Heyva Sor a Kurdistane (Kurdistan Red Crescent), a critical humanitarian organization that provides medical care, disaster relief, and vital support to refugees and families who have been displaced by conflict and violence. Many of the people that the organization helps have escaped ISIS or continue to live in difficult conditions due to conflict. 

Rashad believes that giving back is a responsibility. Bekas is inspired by the resilience and spirit of the Kurdish people, and he believes it’s only right that the success of the brand contributes to those who need it most. For every garment sold, he wants customers to feel that they are not only wearing a piece of Kurdish history, but also contributing to building a better future. 

Visions for the future 

As Rashad puts a lot of work into his designs and does extensive research to gain inspiration, seeing people wearing his designs in public or posting them on social media is what gives him the most joy. He wishes there to be more recognition for Kurdish culture and history, which is too often overlooked. There are over 50 million Kurds all around the world and he wants all Kurds to feel proud of where they are from, and wearing clothes that showcase Kurdish culture can help foster that pride.  

In the future, he plans to work with a clothing manufacturer in Kurdistan. He wants the pieces not only to be designed by a Kurd, but also to channel more money into Kurdistan, supporting its development and well-being. 

In the long term, Rashad aims for Bekas to grow to a level where charity contributions can be even more significant. He hopes Bekas can reach a point where it can help to fund schools, provide medical resources, or directly support Kurdish communities in need. Clothing can tell a story; it can also change lives.   

Responsibilities of Kurds outside of Kurdistan Rashad believes that “as Kurds, we all have a responsibility to preserve our culture and history. We can’t lose it just because we are living outside of Kurdistan.”

Through Bekas’ designs, Rashad aims to tell a story. Each design links back to Kurdistan’s culture and history. For example, the “Halabja t-shirt” is designed to depict Halabja’s resilience, even after the chemical attack. Another design sports the famous phrase “No Friends but the Mountains.” 

Fashion is a statement: people will ask you what the design means, creating an opportunity to educate non-Kurds and spark conversation. Rashad believes that the Kurdish youth should be more involved in preserving their culture. 

Rashad believes every Kurd outside Kurdistan should focus on learning the Kurdish language and taking pride in their identity. He is still learning the language, culture, and history himself, and finds joy when he learns something new, especially when it inspires a new design. 

Since many people around the world are not aware of Kurdistan, the prouder a Kurd is, the more those around them will learn about Kurdish identity and struggles. If we stay quiet, we will always be ignored. Fashion is Rashad’s way of making sure that doesn’t happen.