I'm editing a story right now on the beginning of some work we're doing in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.
The Kurdish people are the largest people group without a nation.
They're spread out mainly throughout Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey. They've been persecuted heavily in Iraq, especially in the late 80s when Saddam launched his Anfal Operation, exterminating thousands and thousands of Kurds. Villages were leveled and millions were displaced.
This was done in the name of Islam, and so it left the Kurds a little disenfranchised with the religion. As if they need any reminders, the hillsides are covered in mass graves.
They're especially grateful for the Americans. We helped topple Saddam and establish a Kurdish Regional Authority, which gives them some degree of autonomy.
I felt like a celebrity when I was there. If you ever want an ego boost, go to Kurdistan.
There's a feeling of hope and openness in the region. It's exciting to see what will happen in the upcoming years, especially with all the foreign investment pouring in.
They've been called an Invisible Nation with an Invisible Future. With this great freedom they're now experiencing, I hope that will no longer be the case.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment