Latest news with #KurdishJournalismDay
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Calls for coexistence mark spiritual gathering in Erbil
Also in Kurdistan Interior ministry launches investigation into football brawl in Sulaimani Scuffles erupt between football fans in Sulaimani President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A large interfaith gathering opened in Erbil on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of officials and religious leaders from the Kurdistan Region and abroad, with messages centered on peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. The Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast ceremony kicked off with the attendance of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader and former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, along with nearly 600 leaders and senior officials from the Region and abroad. According to its official website, the event will run until Friday. 'This is the first time such a meeting is being held in Kurdistan, with the aim of acquainting the world with the rich culture that exists in Kurdistan. This culture has existed in Kurdistan since ancient times, namely the culture of coexistence and acceptance of one another, freedom of opinion, religion, and sect. This is the culture that we are proud of and advocate for, and we will continue on this path,' Barzani said in the opening speech. 'Throughout history, whenever Kurdistan was attacked, the oppressors made no distinction between Muslims, Christians, and Yezidis. They burned all the villages, displaced all of them, massacred all of them, and buried them alive. Finally, in the war against ISIS, they made no distinction between Muslim, Christian, and Yezidi, and committed serious crimes. In response, the heroic Peshmerga, with unparalleled self-sacrifice, defended all of them and shattered the myth of ISIS, but at a very high cost of nearly 12,000 martyrs and wounded,' he added. The Islamic State (ISIS) seized control of swathes of Iraqi territory during a brazen offensive in 2014, sweeping through vast stretches of northern and central Iraq. During the jihadists' brutal reign, they committed heinous atrocities, such as genocide, sexual slavery, and massacres against non-Muslims, especially the Yazidi ethnoreligious group. Christians and Shiite Muslims were also targets. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, who also gave a speech at the event, described the gathering as 'an important initiative that aligns with the Kurdistan Region's vision of establishing a culture of co-existence and understanding, away from tension and division. It creates an all-encompassing ground for spiritual and humanitarian dialogue between nations.' 'Religious and cultural diversity in Kurdistan has never been a burden, but rather a source of strength and stability, and has always been a source of pride for us,' President Barzani added. During his speech, Yazidi leader Mir Hazim Tahsin Beg expressed his satisfaction with the gathering, saying, 'On this historic day in the capital of the Kurdistan Region, we have all gathered for the sake of Kurdistan with all its components.' ISIS killed and abducted around 9,900 Yazidis. The United Nations later recognized the group's actions as genocide and reported that up to 200,000 Yazidis were displaced from Shingal, with many taking refuge in camps across Duhok province. Although nearly 11 years have passed since ISIS launched its attack on Shingal, much of the Yazidi community remains displaced. A combination of security concerns, political disputes, and infrastructure and reconstruction challenges has hindered their return. The presence of various armed groups has also created an unstable environment, further deterring many from returning. Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako also addressed the audience, saying, 'There is no problem with religions, but with the exploitation of religion for political and economic purposes.' He commemorated the late Pope Francis as a 'significant and supreme human figure and a unique spirit,' praising the Pope's role in promoting peaceful coexistence, brotherhood, interfaith dialogue, and renouncing war. Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at age 88 on Easter Monday following a stroke. The Pope's death follows a period of ill-health that saw him spend five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia. The debate over who his successor would be began shortly after his hospitalization. In March 2021, Pope Francis made a historic trip to Iraq, becoming the first pontiff to visit the country. His visit included stops in Baghdad, Mosul, and Najaf, where he met Iraq's highest Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. He concluded his visit in Erbil, where he held a holy mass and met with Kurdish leaders, including Masoud Barzani, Nechirvan Barzani, and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. In Mosul, the Pope held prayers for victims of ISIS and visited other significant Christian sites in the city. Sako highlighted the continuing significance of the Pope's visit, saying it underlined the important role of religion in building bridges and fostering mutual understanding and peace. Recalling his last meeting with Pope Francis, the patriarch said, 'I remember the last time I saw him, he said: Iraq is in my heart.' Sako was appointed head of the Chaldean Church by the Pope at the Vatican and was instrumental in organizing the late pontiff's visit to Iraq. The Kurdistan Region is predominantly Muslim but takes pride in its commitment to religious freedom. In addition to its Muslim population, the region is home to diverse faith communities, including Christians, Yazidis, Sabean-Mandaeans, Zoroastrians, Kaka'is, and Baha'is.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Interior ministry launches investigation into football brawl in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan Scuffles erupt between football fans in Sulaimani President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's interior ministry on Wednesday launched an investigation into scuffles that erupted a day prior between football fans in Sulaimani, leaving several people injured. The interior minister ordered the formation of a committee that 'will visit the incident site' and 'investigate the incident,' according to a statement from the Region's interior ministry. A day before, several people were injured after clashes broke out between supporters of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, east of the Kurdistan Region. The interior ministry on Wednesday noted that 'the undesirable situation has been brought under control,' and Sulaimani provincial police forces have brought 'the situation back to normal, protecting the lives of players and fans alike.' 'We ask fans of both clubs and citizens to act with sportsmanship, and we urge media outlets to cooperate in promoting sportsmanship and brotherhood, which are fundamental principles of competition between all Kurdistan and Iraq clubs and sports in general,' the ministry added. Newroz SC and Zakho SC were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League. As the match neared its final moments and was still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the field, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players. Speaking to Rudaw, Newroz SC coach Qahtan Yousif stated that 'an offside goal by Zakho Club was the source of the problems. The goal should not have counted.' 'Some Zakho Club fans disrupted the situation with inappropriate comments and the situation got out of control,' Yousif added. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed fans tossing plastic seats at each other from the stands. At least one fan appeared to have suffered a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. A Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward. In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff. For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches.
Rudaw Net
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Rudaw Net
Bloody clashes erupt between football fans in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process Soran police arrest couple on suspicion of invalid marriage A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several people were injured after clashes broke out between fans of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, in the east of the Kurdistan Region, on Tuesday. The two teams were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League, and with the match nearing its final moments and still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the pitch, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed plastic seats being thrown from the stands, and at least one fan appearing to suffer a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. While the exact cause of the clashes remains unclear, an injured Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward. He claimed the violence erupted after the referee awarded a penalty against one of the players. 'My daughter is eight months old, she went missing in the crowd. My leg is injured, and my whole body is in pain,' he said. Another fan told Rudaw that the clashes erupted after Zakho scored a goal that was believed to be offside. 'The root of the problem was that Zakho SC scored a goal that was offside, and the referee raised his flag. After that, Zakho fans began throwing bottles at the linesman to express their frustration.' In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff. For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches. This is a developing story.
Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
127 Years of Kurdish Journalism: Honoring the legacy of KURDISTAN Newspaper
Shafaq News / On April 22, Kurdish journalists across the Middle East marked the 127th anniversary of the first Kurdish-language newspaper, Kurdistan —a historic publication that not only pioneered Kurdish media but also became a symbol of identity and resistance. Founded in 1898, the paper's legacy is now celebrated annually as Kurdish Journalism Day—a day that reflects both cultural pride and the enduring challenges faced by Kurdish journalists in Iraq, Syria, Turkiye, and Iran. A Newspaper That Defined a Nation First published in Cairo by Kurdish prince Miqdad Madhat Bedirkhan, Kurdistan holds the distinction of being the first periodical printed in the Kurdish language. Its launch marked a watershed moment in the history of Kurdish media, providing—for the first time—a public platform for discourse on literature, politics, and identity in Kurdish. Under the shadow of Ottoman censorship, the newspaper bypassed state control by printing its 31 issues abroad—in cities like Geneva, London, and Folkestone—before smuggling them into Kurdish-majority areas such as Damascus, Mardin, Adana, and Diyarbakir. Though officially banned, Kurdistan reached its readership and openly criticized the autocratic rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, setting a precedent for future generations of Kurdish journalists. More than just a news source, Kurdistan was an ideological platform. It validated the Kurdish language as a tool for intellectual expression and resistance, laying the groundwork for a resilient yet perpetually threatened journalistic tradition. Today, Kurdish media has grown into a diverse and expansive landscape. From traditional print outlets to digital platforms and social media channels, Kurdish journalism plays a vital role in amplifying voices and fostering dialogue on cultural, political, and social issues both locally and globally. Yet despite these advances, serious challenges remain. In many regions, Kurdish journalists continue to face systemic repression. Press Freedom In Iraqi Kurdistan In Iraqi Kurdistan, where Kurds have enjoyed a degree of autonomy since the 1990s, a relatively vibrant media environment has taken root. Dozens of Kurdish-language newspapers, television channels, and digital platforms operate, supported by institutions such as the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate. In September 2008, the Kurdistan Region Parliament passed the Law on the Protection of Journalists' Rights, establishing a legal foundation for free and professional journalism. This law abolished prison sentences for defamation and repealed provisions from Saddam-era legislation that allowed for heavy fines and media shutdowns. Still, the Metro Center for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy reported 182 violations against journalists in 2024—a 22% drop from the previous year, yet still alarming. These included detentions without warrants, cyberattacks, and even lethal drone strikes. Among the most harrowing cases were the deaths of journalists Hero Bahadin, Gulistan Tara, and Murad Mirza in Turkish drone strikes, which sparked international condemnation. The report also pointed to systemic problems like arbitrary firings, salary delays, and the absence of social protections. While the repeal of Instruction No. 1 of 2023 was welcomed, critics say that independent journalism remains vulnerable to political interference and selective law enforcement. Wartime Journalism in Syria's Northeast In northeastern Syria—known to Kurds as Rojava—a grassroots media sector emerged amid conflict and the rise of Kurdish self-governance. The Union of Free Media played a pivotal role in supporting citizen journalists, particularly during the battle against ISIS, when local reporting became crucial in exposing atrocities and mobilizing resistance. But the space for free media is narrowing. Since the 2021 enactment of Rojava's Media Law—initially touted as a safeguard for press freedom—journalists have faced growing restrictions. In 2021 and 2022, the Autonomous Administration suspended Kurdistan 24 and Rudaw, accusing them of inciting division. By 2024, new regulations will required detailed disclosures about media personnel, raising fears of surveillance and retaliation. With Syria ranking near the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index, journalists in Rojava operate in a precarious climate where critical voices risk harassment, arrest, or exile. A Climate of Fear In Turkiye's Southeast Southeastern Turkiye remains one of the most repressive environments for Kurdish journalism. Over the years, numerous Kurdish-language media outlets have been shuttered, including Özgür Gündem, which endured repeated bans. In June 2022, Turkish authorities arrested 21 journalists in Diyarbakir on charges of disseminating terrorist propaganda and alleged affiliation with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which the Turkish government designates as a terrorist organization. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkiye—alongside Iran—remains among the most dangerous countries for journalists. The 2023 press freedom report highlighted arbitrary arrests, court summonses, and state surveillance as tools used to silence Kurdish media. No Safe Harbor In Iran's Kurdish Provinces In Iran, independent Kurdish media is virtually nonexistent. Attempts to launch Kurdish-language outlets are quickly suppressed, and journalists often face detention, solitary confinement, or prosecution under sweeping national security laws. The 2022–2023 protests under the slogan 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' ('Woman, Life, Freedom') brought further crackdowns. At least 62 journalists were arrested during this period—24 of them women. One of the most emblematic cases is that of Adnan Hassanpour, a Kurdish journalist sentenced to death in 2007 for 'propaganda against the state'—a sentence later commuted. Despite such risks, Kurdish citizen journalists continue to document events from inside Iran, often working anonymously or from exile. Today, as Kurds commemorate the 127th anniversary of the Kurdistan newspaper, the vision that inspired Miqdad Madhat Bedirkhan in 1898 endures—still unfulfilled, yet kept alive through the ongoing struggle for free expression in the Kurdish language.
Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan Press Day: Leader Barzani hails media's defense of Kurdish identity
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani marked Kurdish Journalism Day by highlighting the media's pivotal role in defending Kurdish identity and advancing the national cause. In a statement commemorating the 127th anniversary of the first Kurdish newspaper Kurdistan, founded by Mir Miqdad Medhet Bedirkhan, and the 27th anniversary of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists, Barzani praised journalists for their contributions to raising awareness, preserving the Kurdish language, and promoting peace and coexistence. He described the Kurdish press as 'a powerful tool for communicating the just cause of the Kurdish people to the world,' calling on media professionals to uphold high standards of professionalism while protecting the values and interests of the Kurdish nation.
