Mr Salih Muslim is co-president of the Democratic Union Party or PYD. The PYD is one of the most dominant players in Syria; currently this is mostly because of its control over that most effective and formidable Kurdish militia YPG/YPJ, significant popular support, and its effective organization. In an exclusive interview with Manish Rai, Editor,…
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Category Archives: Interviews
Education in Kurdistan: A Lost Cause?
Intervew with Dr. Mohammed Shareef by Aras Ahmed Mhamad: This interview first published by Fair Observer From child education all the way to university level, the curriculum in Iraqi Kurdistan is outdated. A modern education system facilitates development, prosperity and peace. A good education raises awareness, increases tolerance and helps to create broadminded, creative and productive individuals….
A Kurdistani from Halabja
By Paul Iddon – Digital Journalist This article first appeared on the Digital Journal The present ongoing crisis in Iraq has seen to the Iraqi Kurds assert their dominance in their region and even presented them with a chance for independence. But how much do we in fact know about the Kurds and their dreams…
‘The United States, Iraq and the Kurds: Shock, Awe and Aftermath’ – interview with the author
Interview by Aras Ahmed Mhamad: Dr Mohammed Shareef is a lecturer in International Relations and author of the forthcoming book ‘The United States, Iraq and the Kurds: Shock, Awe and Aftermath’. The book is on US foreign policy towards Arab Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan as components of a larger US Iraq policy. The book will…
‘Israel definitely backs the Kurds’: Jacques Neriah
Interviewed by Mohammed Hussein*: Dr. Jacques Neriah, a special analyst for the Middle East at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, was formerly Foreign Policy Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence. He has written some articles about the Kurdish issue, and his recent one was…
‘Translation is Science and Art combined’
Interview with Muhammad Fatih Ghareeb: Interviewed by Aras Ahmed Mhamad AAM: How would you define translation? What’s the importance of translation in this commercial and technological world? MF: There are various definitions. Most of them are known to students of translation and translators. Here, I would like to define it from a day-to-day life of…
On the Kurdish Question
Interview with Muhammad Waladbagi, PhD Candidate: Interviewed by Aras Ahmed Mhamad AAM: How do you look at the Kurdish Question both historically and politically? What do you think is the roadmap to independence? MW: Well, this is a broad topic to cover in a single question. It is not easy to cover Kurdish history, politics…
The Clash of Generations
An interview with Dr. Kamal Mirawdeli: Interviewed by Aras Ahmed Mhamad AA: What role do the youth of today have, in this technological age, compared to the youth of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s? KM: They have the entire world on their laptop or iPhone, in which they have lost the whole world, their world….
On Education
Interview with Sara K. Othman, PhD: Interviewed By Aras Ahmed Mhamad AA: What are the most important things that you first teach your students? How do you prepare them for the year psychologically? SO: This is a very good question ‘What to teach first?’ Before teaching any item, students should be prepared psychologically that the…
On Poetry: Sherko Bekas
Interview and translation by Aras Ahmed Mhamad: Sherko Bekas, the acclaimed modern Kurdish poet, died yesterday (4 August) of cancer. Son of the poet Fayak Bekas, Sherko was born in Sulaymani in 1940. He joined the liberation movement in 1965, working for the Voice of Kurdistan radio station until he was forced into exile in…
On Translation: Interview with Azad Berzinji
Interview by Aras Ahmed: Azad Berzinji writes and translates in English, Farsi, Arabic and Kurdish. To date he has translated more than 35 books. AA: How would you define translation? What’s the importance of translation in this commercial and technological world? AB: Translation in its general meaning is the process of changing a text from…
‘Abandoning weapons at this stage is not for discussion’: PKK leader Bryar Gabar
Exclusive Interview by Harem Karem: Bryar Gabar is a member of the PKK (Parti Krekaren Kurdistan) leadership council, currently based in the Qandil mountains. Photos by Kardo Hassan. HK: What do you think about the slowing-down of the peace process? Isn’t it one-sided, with concessions made by the PKK/Kurdish side only? BG: As you are aware, the…
‘Optimism’ on Kurd cancer care & ‘zero tolerance’ of expired meds peddlers: Professor Anwar Sheikha
Exclusive Interview (Part 2) with Professor Anwar Sheikha by Harem Karem: HK: Do you have any comments on the expired medicine scandal? AS: As we are seeing a very lucrative market for medicine in Kurdistan, I think the courts should have their proper role in prevention and punishments. In fact, I think punishments should be…
German doctor: ‘Being part of the PKK makes life meaningful’
By Harem Karem: Those of us familiar with the way in which the Parti Krekaren Kurdistan (PKK) operates are aware that there are many heroines behind their struggle: as mothers, wives, daughters and sisters providing support from home for the guerrillas stationed in the rebellious mountainous triangle, and also as guerrillas – forty-plus per cent…
‘It’s time to come back and contribute to the health service here’: Professor Anwar Sheikha
Exclusive Interview (part 1) by Harem Karem: The renowned Professor Anwar Sheikha has done more than anyone to improve the quality of cancer care in the Kurdistan Region. HK: Could you give us a brief account about your professional background as a haematologist and oncologist? AS: Let me start by thanking the Kurdistan Tribune for arranging this…
