As most of you know on August 1, 2015 the village of Zargali in the Qandil Mountain of the Kurdistan region went under attack by the vicious Turkish strikes. During the early hours of that morning, Turkish jets bombed the civilian’s homes killing at least 9, including women and children. A large number of people …
Category: POLITICS
THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE KURDISH REGION
As the end of Masoud Barzani’s presidency is coming to a near, the Kurdistan Region’s political parties have yet to reach an agreement on electing the region’s next president. This has been an ongoing problem in the Kurdish region as once again there is the question of extending Brazani’s presidency. If we look back at …
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THE KURDISH STUGGLE (ZARGALI MASSACRE)
Throughout Kurdish history, the Kurds have been subject to a series of attacks mostly targeting the core of the people; attacks on culture, religion, language and most of all our very existence.The Kurdish struggle is in continuation as each day a different part of the country is targeted by some radical group. It is has …
CANADA DAY: WHY SOME CELEBRATE AND OTHERS DO NOT
Canada Day is just around the corner on July 1, 2015. So what is Canada day and why is it such meaningful and celebrated day across the country. Canada Day is celebrated each year as a way of commemorating the founding of the Canadian Federal Government by the British North America Act of July 1, 1967. Essentially it is the independence day of Canada and it is a national holiday. People all over the country gather and celebrate this day with pride and happiness. It is a day where people are celebrating national pride as this day outlines the unionization of the British colonies both in Upper and Lower Canada. This year, the people of Canada are celebrating 147th year of independence.
DARASHAKRAN REFUGEE CAMP, KURDISTAN
This post is on my visits to the refugee camp in Southern Kurdistan which was life changing and it definitely was an emotional experience. I had the pleasure of attending Darashakran Camp near the end of April where I met amazing people who really work day in and out to make sure the refugees who fled ISIS feel some sort of belonging. My whole experience started when I was invited to attend a ceremony that was held for the students of that camp by Ensign International Energy Services-Kurdistan Branch (a Canadian oil and gas company). When the head of HR department Serwa Khelil informed me that the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief was hosting this event, I jumped to seize the opportunity. I could not be more excited to accompany her and her co-worker, and I truly was grateful for the opportunity.
27TH ANNIVERSARY OF HALABJA AND ANFAL
Today is the 27th anniversary of Halabja and Anfal which has become a part of Kurdish history. Even though I was not able to join The Canadian Kurdish organizations in Toronto this year for the 27th commemoration of the Genocide of Kurds in Halabja and Anfal on Sunday March 15th 2015, I thought it was extremely important to cover this topic on my website.
Raparin: March 5, Celebrating the Kurdish Uprisings
Today is the anniversary of the 1991 uprisings in South Kurdistan which was under the ruling of its host country Iraq. This uprising led to the establishment of the Kurdish Autonomous Republic (Iraqi Kurdistan). The revolution, or Raparin in Kurdish, began in Ranya city on March 5, 1991, when forced Kurdish militia were used by …
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EXPLOITATION OF YEZIDI KURDISH WOMEN
Dear readers, I have wanted to cover the topic of exploitation within the Kurdish Yezidi community for a while now but I must be quit honest it was extremely difficult to put my feelings in words. I wanted to make sure that I give it all I have to get the message across and I did not want to rush it. I really wanted to make sure that it was given the proper attention it deserved.
SHINGAL AND THE EZIDI (YAZIDI) KURDS
The tragedy in Shingal (Sinjar) is one that all Kurds can recall. For those who are unfamiliar with that event, it is really important to pay attention. With the jihadist attacks of ISIS on the Kurdish town of Shingal, thousands of Ezidi (Yazidi) Kurds were killed and displaced. Those who fled ISIS terrorists are scattered around in camps throughout Bashuri (South) Kurdistan in cites such as Erbil (Hawler), Slemani or Duhok. Although the journey was not pleasant, humanitarian organizations are trying their best to meet the needs of the families (shelter, food, medicine, etc). This being said, many Kurdish Yezidi’s have fled to neighbouring countries such as Syria and Turkey. As most fled the area to find refugee in nearby cities some were not unable and trapped on Sinjar Mountain. With no food or water people were struggling to survive.
Abdullah (Apo) Öcalan
Serok ApoAbdullah (Apo) Öcalan (i.e, Serok Apo) has been imprisoned and held on an island off Istanbul, Imrali since the late 1990s. This prison is known to be host to many dangerous prisoners throughout history. Öcalan’s life today consists of daily routines of reading, writing and constantly being watched by prison guards. His contact with the outside world is minimal, he has not spoken to anyone other than his younger brother Mehmet Öcalan, a member of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and the person he passes messages to forward to the Kurdish people of Bakuri (North), Kurdistan. For those who are not familiar with the mappings of Kurdistan, Bakuri Kurdistan is currently under their control of its host country Turkey.