Iraqi Kurdistan Votes

On 25 July 2009, the parliamentary and presidential elections in Iraqi Kurdistan did represent a significant step forward in the region’s experiment with democracy. About 79% of all eligible voters turned out to vote on Election Day in Iraqi Kurdistan’s three provinces: Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Faraj al-Haidari of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stated in a post-election press conference that these recent elections were the cleanest elections in the history of Iraq.

Oil in Kurdistan: A black curse or new power? by Delovan Barwari

The failure to pass the so-called hydrocarbons law has hampered foreign attraction in the energy sector and consequently set back the development of Iraq's decayed and underdeveloped oil infrastructure. On the other hand, as KRG became aggravated with Baghdad over the standoff of the proposed law, it endorsed its own hydrocarbon laws in order to develop Kurdistan's resources. As a result, KRG has successfully made significant progress in oil exploration and infrastructure development of its new oil industry.

Remembrance and rebuilding – Kuwait 19 years after invasion by Jeff Allan

Nineteen years and many thousands of deaths later, the darkest day of Kuwaiti history cannot be forgotten as it also proved to be a watershed in the modern history of the Middle East. For the first time ever, the world was unable to ignore the brutality of Saddam and his regime. Indeed, for the first time, an Arab country was harshly victimized by Saddam, just years after he waged a war against Iran which he claimed was fought in defense of the entire Arab world. Today, partially as a result of Saddam’s ill-fated adventure in Kuwait, the Middle East is a very different place.

Turkey and the PKK: Edging closer to peace or a road map going nowhere? by Thomas James

There are many wars that seem intractable; wars in which whole generations grow up knowing nothing else. Among the most long-lasting and deadliest is that between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Lasting 25 years now, it has cost the lives of tens of thousands and left hundreds of thousands of others displaced and destitute. Years of bitter conflict have resulted in deep recriminations and suspicions on both sides making any resolution painfully difficult to come by for many on either side of the conflict.

TESEV - Re-conceptualizing Internal Displacement in Turkey by Natsumi Ajiki

The involvement of various well-established civil organizations in the struggle for a solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey is not frequently discussed, but nonetheless it is a significant part of the issue. One such organization involved in these efforts is the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), has worked with Kurdish internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Turkey following human rights and democratizing reforms.

Combating female genital mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan by Haje Keli

The phenomenon has been widely discussed over the last few years in Kurdistan; although no one has ever provided any real data regarding the number of Kurdish women who have been victimized in this awful way. This changed in 2003, when WADI sent out teams of workers to knock on the door of every house and ask the women if they had been “circumcised”. This bold idea bore fruits, as the different teams discovered disturbing tendencies among the rural population of Kurdistan and then developed a plan of action to address this issue.

In memory of Aram Tigran… you will be missed by Jeff Allan and Mehmet Fidan

It was with great sadness that we heard the news of the passing of Aram Tigran, one of the most gifted contemporary Kurdish singers and musicians. Mr. Tigran, age 75, died on August 8, 2009 in Evangelismos General Hospital in Athens, Greece. His life story is indeed the story of a refugee and was dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Kurdish identity and, more specifically, culture and language.

Letters of the Diaspora from the United Kingdom: Aspiring Kurdish Linguist, Deniz Ekici by Vahal A. Abdulrahman

Mr. Ekici explains that he believes that there is a direct link between national identity and language, and states that a significant number of Kurds, especially in Turkey, continue to use Turkish as their primary language at home. Mr. Ekici believes that more efforts must be made by millions of Kurds to promote the use of the more dominant dialects. Mr. Ekici’s message to Diaspora Kurds is short and to the point: “Speak to your kids in Kurdish."

Poetry & Art Feature: Voice of the Kurdish Girl - Dengê Keça Kurd by Perwer Shushi

Kurdish Herald publishes Poetry & Art from featured Kurdish artists and writers. In this issue, Kurdish poet, Perwer Shushi, writes a tribute to the Kurdish female and for the cause of gender equality. The piece entitled, "Voice of the Kurdish Girl", is Perwer Shushi’s latest work.