On Friday, November 6, 2026, Scholars and Professionals of the Eastern World and the Kurdish Student Association at Belmont University hosted their annual Kurdish lecture and panel discussion.

Held in Nashville — home to the largest Kurdish diaspora population in the United States — the event brought together university students, faculty, and local civic leaders to examine Kurdish history, cultural preservation, and diaspora identity.

Lana Ali, a Belmont senior and co-organizer of the event, told Kurdistan Chronicle that the initiative aims to connect academic studies with lived human experience.

“Our greatest hope is that attendees walk away with a deeper understanding of the human stories behind history,” Ali said. “History is often presented through dates, political events, conflicts, and geographical boundaries, but behind every historical event are people, families, and generations whose lives have been shaped by those experiences.”

Ali noted that the organizers intend to establish the gathering as an enduring institutional tradition at Belmont, fostering cross-cultural engagement while encouraging younger generations to connect with their language and heritage.

“As a younger generation, we are not simply inheriting these stories; we are inheriting the responsibility of carrying them forward,” Ali added. “Representation matters, but so does continuity. We need to create opportunities for the next generation to learn, lead, and continue advocating for our people.”

The panel featured Tabber Sindi, President of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council, who addressed the community’s settlement in Tennessee and the evolving role of youth leadership in civic life.

“We are grateful to the student organizers for creating this space for dialogue and cultural education,” Sindi said. “Events like these remind us how powerful it is when our youth lead the conversation.”

Looking ahead, the organizers announced plans to broaden future programming by incorporating wider diaspora perspectives, with upcoming panels slated to focus on Kurdish women’s experiences, youth leadership, and the sociopolitical factors shaping modern Kurdish identity.