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Rudaw Net
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi border guards shoot, kill one in Sulaimani: Family
Also in Kurdistan Qatar invites President Barzani to Doha Forum Turkey receiving significant interest at Erbil tourism fair: Consul Experts discuss educational reform, AI integration at key Erbil confab PM Barzani urges shift from tragedy to tourism in promoting Kurdistan Region A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi border guards on Thursday reportedly shot at a father and son in the Sharbazher area of Sulaimani province, near the Iranian border, killing the son and wounding the father, a family member said. Awat Ismail and his son Arez were shot at by Iraqi border guards at approximately 5:30 am on Thursday, Awat's cousin, Mahmoud Maruf, told Rudaw. 'The father and son had an official shipment that they wanted to take to Iran. The shipment was properly processed through customs, but they were shot at in Suraban village in the Sharbazher border area,' approximately 68 kilometers from Sulaimani city center, Maruf explained. 'As a result, the son was killed and the father was injured,' he said. The border guard who shot at the family has been detained by security forces, according to Maruf. The father is being treated for his injuries at a Sulaimani hospital. The border guards have yet to confirm the incident. The Iraq-Iran border has been increasingly fortified in recent years, after Baghdad agreed to disarm Kurdish groups opposed to Iran based in the Kurdistan Region and secure the border regions in a pact signed with Iran in March 2023. Iran had threatened to resort to military action should Iraq fail to fulfill the agreement. Iraq has also installed a 200-kilometer-long security barrier along the border with Iran, equipped with over 150 thermal cameras, in an attempt to thwart smuggling operations and crack down on illegal crossings. On the Iranian side, border guards frequently shoot at Kurdish kolbars attempting to cross the border. Kolbars are semi-legal porters who transport untaxed goods across the border and are frequently targeted by Iranian security forces. Many kolbars are pushed into the profession by poverty and a lack of alternative employment. The Iranian government accuses kolbars of bringing weapons into the country and being used by its enemies.
Rudaw Net
07-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Experts discuss educational reform, AI integration at key Erbil confab
Also in Kurdistan Qatar invites President Barzani to Doha Forum Turkey receiving significant interest at Erbil tourism fair: Consul PM Barzani urges shift from tragedy to tourism in promoting Kurdistan Region Erbil to face more frequent dust storms: Researcher A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The first International Conference on Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship (ICTripleE) commenced in Erbil on Tuesday, bringing together local and international experts to explore educational reform, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence into learning systems. The three-day event is organized by the Rwanga Foundation in collaboration with Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE). Speaking at the conference, Barzan Nazhat Hali, Deputy Chief Executive Director of the Rwanga Foundation, highlighted the critical need to prioritize education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship in the Kurdistan Region, while stressing the role of innovation and leadership in driving sustainable development and enhancing global competitiveness. 'When we reflect on our nation's present and the aspirations of our people, we understand that true revival is rooted not merely in resources, but in the development of minds,' Hali said. 'This is where development institutions play a crucial role - not just as implementers, but as creators of hope and builders of the future. That is exactly what the Rwanga Foundation strives to be.' He stressed that an institution committed to education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship becomes a catalyst for change and a driver of a nation's transformation and development. Hali expressed hope that the outcomes ICTripleE 'would be presented to the relevant authorities' and that the conference's recommendations 'serve as a scientific foundation for addressing educational shortcomings in the Kurdistan Region - ensuring alignment with contemporary developments and global trends.' The opening day of the conference was Amir Abdulrahman Chali, deputy of the Kurdistan Regional Government's education minister. 'It is crucial that we move beyond rhetoric and turn concepts into practice,' Chali stated, adding that 'conferences like this will guide us toward achieving that goal.' He further highlighted the education ministry's efforts to advance the education sector, including 'plans for a comprehensive conference for curriculum development.' Chali also underscored the ministry's keenness to 'establish career development centers.' The conference, running from May 6 to May 8, is being held at SUE's cultural center. Workshops during the conference will focus on student skill development, educational innovation, and cross-sector collaborations. Organizers view it as a crucial step in preparing future generations to meet global challenges. Addressing the conferees, President of SUE, Kamaran Mohammadamin, emphasized the importance of education and entrepreneurship in 'enhancing students' abilities to succeed in their fields of study, preparing them for real-life challenges, and teaching them how to navigate the realities they will face in both their academic and professional careers.' Mohammadamin also highlighted that SUE has hosted over 115 academic conferences in the past three years, addressing a wide range of societal issues and offering recommendations to the KRG. He noted that these efforts have contributed to the establishment of technical and scientific committees. Furthermore, the president emphasized SUE's strong relationships with 'governmental, non-governmental, local, and international organizations,' stating, 'We have formed significant academic and scientific partnerships with numerous organizations.' Among the attendees was Jaffer Sheyholislami, a renowned Professor from Western Iran (Rojhelat) and distinguished linguist and scholar at Carleton University in Canada. Sheyholislami presented a workshop on the importance of language, describing it as the most vital human institution, the first complex system individuals encounter, and the foundation upon which all other societal institutions are built. 'Planning and policy-making for language are essential for a society that aims to reform, particularly in education,' Sheyholislami argued, emphasizing that, 'Education cannot happen without language.' Sheyholislami also stressed 'the need for a language policy that can preserve national language and culture, enable participation and cooperation at the state level, and ensure the [Kurdistan] Region is an active player in science, research, culture, politics, and diplomacy globally.' He highlighted concerns about younger generations entering the workforce without proficiency in languages beyond the native Kurdish tongue. 'Knowing only Kurdish limits job opportunities,' Sheyholislami said. Education in the Kurdistan Region is primarily delivered in two Kurdish dialects - Badini in Duhok and Central Kurdish in other provinces - while Arabic is taught as a subject, though often poorly learned by the new generation. Sheyholislami also noted that speakers of different dialects of the Kurdish language 'do not always understand each other.' The last language policy issued by the Kurdistan Region's legislature dates back to 2014, with no updates since. The esteemed professor emphasized, 'We need a critical language policy that addresses linguistic equality, social justice, Kurdish national development, and global competitiveness.' Sheyholislami thus proposed an approach centered on nation-building through multilingual education, advocating for the strengthening of regional languages, the preservation of dialects, and the development of competitive multilingual citizens. 'Language is not just a tool for communication. It is a source of power and authority,' he concluded.
Rudaw Net
07-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
PM Barzani urges shift from tragedy to tourism in promoting Kurdistan Region
Also in Kurdistan Qatar invites President Barzani to Doha Forum Turkey receiving significant interest at Erbil tourism fair: Consul Experts discuss educational reform, AI integration at key Erbil confab Erbil to face more frequent dust storms: Researcher A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday called for a renewed focus on showcasing the Region's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, moving beyond its historical narrative of tragedy. He delivered the remarks at the Middle East Tourism Expo (METEX2025), held in Erbil with the participation of around 200 companies from 11 countries. 'For years, our efforts to introduce Kurdistan to the world centered on our national identity through the lens of suffering,' said PM Barzani, adding that 'Kurdistan has much more to offer… It is a place of deep history, rich culture, and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic communities.' 'Kurdistan's beauty lies in its diverse nature and how hospitable and friendly its people are, which is a common trait throughout Kurdistan, to make our guests feel at home.' PM Barzani also emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening the tourism sector. 'Improving our tourism sector will help us introduce Kurdistan to the world so that more people come and visit us and get to know our people and the different parts of our Region better,' he said. 'We must continue to develop services so that more people, whether from Kurdistan or abroad, benefit more from this sector.' PM Barzani underscored the role of events like METEX2025 in elevating the Kurdistan Region's profile as a key tourist destination. Today in Erbil, we opened #METEX2025 — a platform for tourism, aviation, and investment. The path for Kurdistan is clear: more visitors, more trade, more partnerships. That's the future we're building. — Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 6, 2025 'One of the factors that will help us introduce Kurdistan to the world more effectively is our focus on the tourism sector,' the premier said, stressing that 'by working together and with the [Kurdistan Regional] Government's [KRG] support, such events can serve all of the Kurdistanis.' The Kurdistan Region premier additionally stressed the importance of restoring and renovating historical sites and cultural relics across the Region 'as each possesses its own unique natural and cultural beauty.' According to the Kurdistan Region's Tourism Board, nearly eight million tourists visited in 2023, primarily from Iraq's central and southern provinces. For its part, the KRG in March 2024 announced that 1.7 million tourists had visited the Region in the first three months of that year. Geographically, the Kurdistan Region is characterized by predominantly mountainous terrain, offering particularly striking natural landscapes in its northern and northeastern areas, especially along the borders with Turkey and Iran. In addition to its breathtaking natural scenery, the Kurdistan Region is rich in cultural and historical heritage, positioning it as a significant part of ancient Mesopotamia. The Region is also home to a wealth of archaeological sites, ancient cities, and religious landmarks that bear witness to thousands of years of continuous civilization. These include remnants from the Sumerian, Assyrian, and Median eras, highlighting the Region's deep historical roots. At the heart of this archaeological landscape stands the Erbil Citadel, widely regarded as the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlement. Dating back to 6000 BC, the Citadel serves as a symbolic and cultural centerpiece of the Kurdistan Region's enduring legacy.
