Empowering you through your writing

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3

1000 ID

Photography in Kurdistan: A Fledgling Art

tion as it is the recording of history with images, he wrote to me. The Kurdish society is just beginning to understand photography and many of its youth are starting to work in that field. Whenever I walk down Even though photography is all Salim Street, I see at least two big the rage now with Kurdish youth, DSL-R cameras slung on shoulpersisting issues hinder the develders. This new trend and the inopment of this craft. creasing number of attractive From his observations, Nikon and Canon professional Ranj wanted to share his concerns cameras on display cases in stores about some of those issues. There indicate the Kurds rising interest are social and political restrictions in the art of photography. Clearly, on photography in Kurdistan, he the Kurds are beginning to recwrote to me. It is hard to take picognize that in order to survive in tures of women subjects because this modern world of visuals, they of the cultural norms. It is also need to incorporate visual tranhard for Kurdish photographers scriptions into their lifestyles and to not get tangled in with the poprofessions. litical mess. Photographers workIn her 2004 travel book, A ing for one political party are not Thousand Sighs, A Thousand Rewelcome to take pictures of other volts, Christiane Bird comments political party members or their that the Kurds like photographs activities. Photographers are taken because the images confirm their to jail while covering the protests. existence otherwise too often And even photographers with denied. But now, the Kurds are badges could be disallowed from starting to realize that working betaking pictures. hind the camera is as important as In other places, photograstanding in front of it. phers make names for themselves Seven months ago Ranj by publishing their work in newsAhmed, a young Kurdish photogpapers. But in Kurdistan, most rapher in Sulaimany, decided to newspapers use photos without follow his passion and embrace giving credit to their right-holders. the art of photography. PhotogAlso, photographers in raphy is a vital art for every naKurdistan dont get enough money to even buy or upgrade their cameras. While it is necessary to listen to the concerns of our Kurdish photographers, consulting foreign experts on this field is key to understanding photography in Kurdistan; by listening to their concerns and working to improve ourselves we can get better and stronger in the art of photography. DJ Bradley, an American photographer in Sulaimany, believes that a photograph is a window: it can create awareness, it can educate, and it can create change. He works in Kurdistan in hopes of creating education, awareness, change, and a portrait. For Bradley, a portrait is not only a photograph of a person, but is also a photograph of what is going on in the world we live in, of someones life story. DJ Bradley believes that the tools timated in the local markets as there is much more to photography than just wedding photos and ID pictures. He is also concerned that the Kurdish market is shrinking. There are almost no funds or resources available for distributing the work we do, he wrote to me. There is a lack of exhib-

Escalating Violence in Kirkuk

The Art of Photoghraphy.

Photo by Marwan Muhammed

Wasta: A Bane on Kurdistan

EDITORIAL

Osama bin Laden Killed: Justice Is Done, Obama says

available at the photographers disposal should be used well to communicate stories and voices with others all around the world. He suggests that we take the time to create well thought out stories and use the other tools we have to share these stories. The pay off can be great when [we] hear what people have learned from the stories [we] help tell. A self-taught humanitarian photographer from Chile, Heber Vega, works in Kurdistan with a vision of using [his] work for good, to help others, to bring hope, to respect cultures, and, ultimately, to advocate and help certain initiatives that are worth mentioning and spreading around the world. He wants to show people giving their lives for others, making this world a better place to live. Vega believes that photography is still somehow underes-

its and galleries. There arent any places to really study photography or to attend a workshop, at the very least. Theres a definite lack of appreciation for a good quality work. Companies still dont have experience with publicity, marketing, and specially understanding the power of images, so photography remains underestimated. I see a lot of mediocre work in advertisements and photos for local companies. These issues discourage many would-be photographers away from the profession, and if they are not addressed and attended to, there is a slim chance that photography will ever reach its high aspirations in Kurdistan and I will see no more DSL-R cameras on Salim Street. This craft will dissolve into chaos and turn from all the rage to nothing but rage.

Kurdistans Health System must be Reformed

Roma Restaurant: More than Dinner

Soccer Has No Limits!

1

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3

Local News

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 2

International News
body. Many sceptics still do not believe Bin Laden is dead and think it is just another American conspiracy. Many items were confiscated and taken as evidence from the compound. Analysts are viewing them one by one to further understand Al-Qaeda and what their future plans could possibly be. Soon after the announcement, many videos and pictures showing Bin Laden as an old and frail man were released by the administration. These pictures and videos depicted a man unlike what people generally considered him to be; it was not the infamous Osama Bin Laden the world press portrayed him as, not a resilient man who walked from one cave to another hiding from American Intelligence, but an exhausted, worn out, and feeble man. Controversy still surrounds the truth as to why more proof of his death is not being released and why his body was dumped into the North Arabian Sea rather than given a traditional burial. World leaders expressed their joy and congratulated the Obama administration for the death of this dangerous man and the Navy Seal commandos for their bravery.

Awat Newspaper
Established on December 1, 2010 Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Owner on Behalf Amed Latif Omar Editor-in-Chief Meer Ako Ali Deputy Editor Bery Majeed Page Editors Arez Taha Sadiq Decan Dana Ruwayda Mustafa Rabar Joshua Andrew Stacey Meriwan Zana Shena O. Qaradaghi Razhan Kawa Ali Layout Designer Marwan Muhammed Hazim Graphics Designer Arsh Latif Omar Marketing Manager in Sulaimany Lazo Rizgar Erbil Development Manager Zana Jaff
Public relations contact information: Publication Type: Monthly Periodical. E-mail: awatnews@gmail.com. For advertisements, contact us by phone: 07711533308, or by email: awat.advertisement@gmail.com. Like Awat Newspaper on Facebook. Follow Awat_Newspaper on Twitter Disclaimer: All the ideas expressed in this newspaper are the ideas of the individuals and not that of the Awat Newspaper. The Awat Newspaper does not take responsibility for what is articulated by distinct writers. Awat abides by the rules of press ethics.

NO: 3

The Rise of the Sadrists

On May 26th, the Sadrist movement staged a massive parade in Baghdad in a chilling showcase of strength and defiance. About 70,000 followers of Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric, took to the streets to rally against the extension of the upcoming deadline of the American troops presence in Iraq. The Sadrist movement was founded by Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, a prominent Shiite Grand Ayatollah and Muqtada al-Sadrs father. The Sadrists dressed in uniform red, white, and black of the Iraqi flag and wearing caps with the I am Iraqi slogan written on them marched in an orderly, military fashion down one of the main streets of the city. They were not carrying weapons, however. American, British, and Israeli flags were also painted on the roads of some places for the marchers to trample on while walking.

Osama bin Laden Killed: Justice Is Done, Obama says

America most wanted man, for less than 10 years, was finally found, and killed. Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States was shot and killed in a fire fight outside his Abbottabad residence in Northern Pakistan. Osama Bin Ladens whereabouts were intercepted by the US Intelligence last August, where after many months of painstaking investigations, a solid basis for detaining him was given to the American President, Barack Obama, who on Sunday May 1, in a late-night address to the nation, confirmed the death of Bin Laden. President Obama also announced that he had given the green light for US Navy Seal commandos to take him down. Finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action Graphics by Marwan Muhammed and authorized an operation to get Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice, he said in his televised address. The raid took less than 40 minutes, and Obama was fully aware of the happenings of the mission. He was given live feed of the operation to his situation room in the white house, where only a handful of other American dignitaries watched the spectacle live as well. After the raid and the capture of the former Al-Qaeda leader was confirmed, DNA testing confirmed his identity which was conducted by a special team from the Central Intelligence Agency; the team later positively identified the body as Osama Bin Ladens to a number of reporters. The body of the former Al-Qaeda leader was taken out of Pakistan soon after it was washed and wrapped in a white cloth, following the Islamic traditions of burial. It was eventually thrown into the Arabian Sea which sparked controversy as to why the Obama administration did not bury his remains or provide pictures for the public of his

Graphics by Marwan Muhammed

The march has been regarded by many as an open challenge to the Iraqi government and forces. Muqtada al-Sadr has repeatedly threatened to re-activate his Mahdi Army militia the movements armed wing if the American troops stay any longer. The Mahdi Army engaged in fierce battle with US and Iraqi forces during the early years of the war. The parade shocked many politicians and government officials because of its massive scale. Due to the governments inability to provide jobs and basic services for the poor, many have put

their faith in the Sadr movement as a last hope. This has led to a gradual decline in US popularity among Iraqis, further strengthening the Sadrists position. With the deadline looming, Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki and his government face quite a dilemma. If the U.S. forces are allowed to stay longer, the Mahdi Army militia might rise again. If the US forces leave on time, there is the possibility that Iraq would plunge back into sectarian violence. Violence is already on the rise in Iraq with kidnappings and bombings happening on almost a daily basis.

Syrian Uprising
supply and still continues to run Hamza al-Kahtib, who was allow today. Also, wounded pro- legedly tortured and killed by testers refused medical treat- Syrian security forces. The body ment by local hospitals. of Hamza was returned to his On March 18, 2011, The Syrian government family almost a month after he Deraa, an agricultural city of is still sending tanks into restive disappeared. The image of the around 100,000 people, became the crucial point for the uprising in Syria. The protesting in Deraa, a city close to the border of Jordan, erupted in protests after a group of young teenagers were put in prison for writing graffiti denouncing the corruption in the local government. The citizens of Deraa and the whole of Syria were stunned by the actions of the local governor. Syria got its first taste of the rebellion in the Arab Spring. The momentum of the protesting grew and spread across several other Photo courtesy of Reuters cities such as Homs, Banias, A girl holding a poster outside the Syrian embassy in London. Deir-ez-Zar, and Damascus, the cities across the country, trying boys body has outraged Syrians countrys capital. Everyday doz- its hardest to silence and wipe and everyone worldwide since it ens of innocent Syrian citizens, out the protesting before inter- has been made available to the including opposition leaders, national forces such as NATO public on YouTube. The disturbare arrested and die at the hands decide to intervene. Syrian se- ing videos and images suggest of Bashar al-Assads army. curity forces have detained sev- that Hamza was tortured. There On April 22, 2011, more eral thousand protesters and were signs of burns and cuts all than a hundred Syrians were political opponents and are still over his body. killed in at least 14 different cit- doing so. The death toll of those The citizens of Syria ies bringing the death toll to 450 killed since the start of the pro- have five important goals that people. On April 25, the protest- tests has reached a 1000 people they hope to achieve. The five ing took a new twist when tanks and the number of those who goals consist of the resignation rolled into the city of Deraa. have being arrested has reached of president Bashar al-Assad, Hours before the army entered 10,000 people. changing the regime to bring Deraa, electricity and commuMore recently, Syrian ac- in democracy, expanding civil nications were cut off and out- tivities have urged the citizens liberties, and giving more rights siders were banned from en- of Syria for renewed protests in and recognition to the Kurds in tering the city. honour of the 13 year old boy Syria. Water and bread were at a short

Osama down Gaddafi left to go?

continue to degrade that, Fox added. However, the British are also continuing to negotiate with Gaddafi. On Sunday, former BritCan Libyan civilians be ish Government Minister met up truly protected while Gaddafi is with the Libyan Foreign Minister still in power? Its the question everyones been asking as NATO attacks continue on Libyan land. British Defense Secretary, Liam Fox, believes its quite inevitable for the end of Gaddafi to come. In an interview for The Telegraph, Fox stated, We saw the Russians AP/French Army change their position subtly this week and I think its now very in Tunisia. In addition, Libyan clear that the international com- British Business Council also had munity believes that its not pos- a meeting with the Libyan Forsible to protect the civilian popu- eign Minister in Tunisia. Despite the efforts from lation while Gaddafi remains in the Russian and British governcontrol of the regime. He will go sooner or later and the calcula- ment to negotiate terms with tion for those around him is how Gaddafi, one thing seems certain: long they continue to invest in any hope for peaceful resolution someone who will ultimately be a is quickly fading. Daytime bombings have already begun on Triploser. What steps are being tak- oli, Libyas capital. Misurata rebel en to remove Mr. Gaddafi? Well, forces have been warned to prefor the Russians, its all about tak- pare themselves for attacks by the ing an active role in trying to per- Apache helicopters. Gaddafi is becoming a suade the mad man to step down. Russian officials say that theyve menace to the world and his own got men in Gaddafis inner circle people. Will he agree to negotiate currently working on the task. with the terms set by the Russian The British, on the other hand, and British government? Or will aim to weaken Gaddafis military he be removed from his tyranny strength before they make a direct through sheer force? Gaddafi, attack. [Gaddafi] has got a lot of hate to break it to you, but your bunkers, there are a lot of facili- time is up. The world is losing its ties that are being used partly as patience; step down, or join dear accommodation but also largely Osama. for military control and we will

Escalating violence in Kirkuk

After a period of mild stability, the city of Kirkuk witnessed a relapse into violence again last month. On May 13, Ashur Issa Yaqub, a Christian construction worker and a father of three children, was found dead in an amusement park after days of brutal torture. From May 14th to 18th, Kirkuk was struck by three explosions in which 11 people were injured. A Kurdish citizen was also killed by a group of unidentified assailants. The most devastating of all the attacks happened on May 19th when a series of three explosions went off in the city. The first explosive device, which was attached to a car, exploded in front of the local police headquarters. After the police rushed to the scene, a second, more powerful car bomb exploded near the scene of the first attack killing 26 police officers and 3 civilians. Half an hour later another bomb exploded near the government headquarters. Presumably, the third explosion was targeted at Colonel Aras Mohammad, the citys head of counter-terrorism unit. By the end of the day, 29 people were killed and up to 80 were injured. The attacks might have been a backlash by terrorists against Kirkuk police forces after several key Al-Qaeda members were successfully arrested earlier in the month. The governments failure to appoint ministers for the three security ministries might have also contributed to the rise of violence in Kirkuk. The string of attacks rejuvenated the peoples fear of escalating violence as the deadline for withdrawal of the American troops is impending. Many believe that with the Americans gone, Iraq will descend back into chaos and violence. Government officials are currently debating whether to extend the deadline of U.S. troops stay in Iraq or not. However, not everyone is in favour of extending the deadline. Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric and one of the most influential figures in Iraq, threatened to reform his Mahdi Army and initiate resistance against the US troops if they stay. The oil-rich city of Kirkuk is a molten pot of mainly three nationalities: Kurds, Arabs, and Turks. Each claims that the land is their own. For a long time now, Kirkuk has been the main cause of heated dispute among the three ethnic groups which had, at times, reached a boiling point. In late February, a standoff occurred between Kurdish security forces and Arab protestors but was quickly resolved by the Americans before anyone was hurt.

Jobs for Everyone program

How many times have you tried to find a job, but it turned out to be impossible to get one? People are complaining about the lack of opportunities for enrolment in ministries around Kurdistan, but the government has come up with a plan for reducing unemployment in Kurdistan. On May 1st of 2011, the Minister of Kurdistan Regional Governments Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Asos Najib, clarified the plans for the issue in a press conference. 25 billion Iraqi Dinars, from the Regions 2011 budget, is provided for job-making in colleges and institutes in Kurdistan. A committee has set out from the Ministry of Labors and Social Affairs, alongside with representatives from other groups, for the contribution of the loans. The system will only serve those who are between 16 and 35 years old and do not have jobs; those who have an investment project in mind will be given 1 to 15 million Iraqi Dinars with tax-free loans, but the money will have to be paid back within 5 years. There is a rumor going around that the amount of the loan might increase. Furthermore, Asos said, Employee benefits in the private sector will be similar to those of the public and governmental sector, including pensions, employment history and so on. The Kurdistan Regional Government will take responsibility for 30 percent of the cost of a retirement fund to help those in the private sector. It is predicted from the Job for Everyone program to lift employment rates and generate around 3000 business opportunities for private sectors and companies over the next coming three years. For every graduate student the business owner hires, he will get 150,000 ID from the government. There has not been an official survey to calculate the rate of unemployment in Kurdistan, but the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs concludes it to be 14 percent.

Police force during an intrusion operation.

Photo courtesy of creativecommons.com

Graphics by Marwan Muhammed

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3

Editorials

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3

Features

Only You Can do it for Yourselves Wasta: A Bane on Kurdistan

I read a story a few weeks ago about an American doctor who worked in Pakistan in the 1970s. He had been constantly overwhelmed with the suffering and evil he had seen on a near daily basis. After working for several years in a hospital, he mentioned to a group of trusted Pakistani co-workers that he found Pakistan to be one of the most evil places in the world. He thought, perhaps, that they would respond sympathetically. He couldnt have received a more difficult and harsh response. You have no right to speak that way! We dont know of any country with a higher per capita crime rate than America. It is safer for your wife to walk the streets of Pakistan at midnight than it is for our men to walk in your cities at noontime. We dont know of any more hypocritical country that preaches democracy and yet has failed to solve its race problem. We dont know of any country with a higher standard of living and yet still has twenty percent of its people living below the poverty line. We dont know of any country so evil that it exports films of violence and pornography, like America. We think you come from the most evil country on the face of the earth. While this doctor was initially stunned by their response and then later on furious, he eventually admitted that he had been wrong. He was guilty of what anthropologists call ethno-centrism. Some call it pride. Others call it gross hypocrisy. He had ignored the evils of his own country and pointed at the wrongs of the Pakistani people. Its always easy to enter another country and another culture and point the finger at all that is wrong. My Arab and Latin American friends in university pointed out wrongs about my culture that I had never seen before. This kind of critique can often be constructive. So why am I mentioning this? Most of the articles in this section of the newspaper are written by Westerners. And while I agree or at least sympathize with all that has been written in this section of the newspaper, I think one significant voice is lacking: yours. I welcome foreigners to write constructive and critical editorials for Awat. Outsiders often point out aspects of culture and society that insiders wouldnt otherwise see (Im also a foreigner, after all). But we need more Arab and Kurdish voices on these pages. The most powerful voices of change often come within a culture. India would not have listened to a white Gandhi. A Chinese man could never have influenced so many in America about race like Martin Luther King, Jr. You dont need to be an expert, professor, politician, PhD, journalist, NGO worker, or someone of importance to submit an article. If you see an issue that you care about thats not being addressed corruption, trash clean up, legal rights for street kids, the importance of preserving traditional culture, inequality of migrant workers (for example) you can write about it, whether youre 16 or 75, someone of importance or not. If you want to see if your idea is worth printing, send me an email at joshuaandrewstacey@gmail. com. I cant promise you that Ill submit your article for publication. But lets begin that dialogue. For two months protestors, comprised mostly of the young, gathered in Sara Square and Azadi Park to remonstrate against a government they found corrupt and unresponsive. In a previous letter I challenged them to add to their protests a plan, some manifesto that would detail what they hoped would replace the current system or reform the current leadership. I also hinted at my own take on the situation that the problems the demonstrators perceive are not political in nature, but social, and that the solution to Kurdistans ills is to be found not in some symbolic decapitation of the regime as we see in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, etc. but rather a full overall of Kurdistans social outlooks and practices. Kurds need to rid themselves of the wasta system. Period. No meaningful and positive change will ever come to Kurdistan as long as this pervasive and pernicious system of patronage and clientelism survives. The system is a stumbling block to the modernization and liberalization of Kurdistan in three ways. The first is that whatever the outward form of government, Kurdistan will in effect always be a patron state. The purpose of government here is not to promote or protect the common good, as it is in western democracies, but rather to provide jobs, money, contracts and legal protection to favored supporters of the regime. In return, of course, these clients provide the regime with its grassroots support votes, street level demonstrations, flattering media coverage, and often, simply, the loyalty of extended families whose members all depend on the patronage that flows from the government. No democracy anywhere in the world is perfect; all are infiltrated to some extent by those who would bend the system to their own advantage. But Iraq is a special case: the government in this culture is nothing other than an extension of a corrupt influence peddling system. Wasta is not an aberration; it is the rule. Thus, there is not an imperfect form of democracy, there is in effect no democracy at all. Second, there is no free enterprise, the other pillar of liberal society. According to a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly, Iraq is in the bottom 10 of all nations in the world in the ease of starting new businesses. The principal impediments: excessive government fees and regulations, and corruption. The beneficiaries of these impediments? Those who profit from the wasta system. Government impediments to free enterprise create opportunities for those well-positioned to make them disappear for a fee. Those foolish enough to navigate the system honestly simply contribute to the wasta system through the payment of legitimate but excessive government fees. Either way, the money flows to the dispensers of patronage and those who receive jobs, money and privileges turn a blind eye to the whole process. And more important than any of this is the unofficial requirement that all businesses be partnered with one or another of the major players in the wasta system. From selling oranges in the bazaar to op-

Bullying Teacher Raises Questions about Education

The education system in Iraq and Kurdistan has been under tremendous strain since the mid eighties. During the war years of Iran-Iraq, the Baath government cut back on education funding. As a result, by early nineties the education system was near to a collapse and barely achieving universal elementary education standards. Kurdistan was not immune from the cutback and was even more affected due to political tensions and discrimination. Since 1991, the Kurdish Region has held on the same outdated Iraqi model until recently. During the years after Kurdish uprising, austerity and social decline did not dampen teachers spirit, and despite not being paid, they strived to provide young pupil with education. The recent video clip that was published online showing a teacher bullying a 6-year-old pupil has caused an outrage and at the same time highlighted two main points in Kurdistan Region education system. One is that the system is not functioning as well as it should be in light of governmental changes. Secondly, it is not only the education system, which has failed this particular pupil but the parents too. The 6-year-olds father has come out in defence of the teacher by justifying his actions as having a bit of fun at the expense of his son. In the eye of most people that have seen the video, this was a clear case of psychological abuse. The teacher clearly over stepped the mark and deserves to be punished accordingly. He is due to be reprimanded and the education minister promised that the ministry would take action against him for child abuse. Historically teachers have been perceived as pioneers, and it could be that the father of this pupil is giving the benefit of the doubt to the teacher. However, this blind faith in teachers has a sharp edge. Teachers used to be respected and cherished in society. They also enjoyed a social status, which many people aspired to. Nevertheless, in recent years, this persona has been diminished and the profession has become less valued. This has led to a lower standard of teaching and widespread decline in teaching ethics. Kurdistan Region has numerous problems, namely corruption and mismanagement within ple to accept different findings through accredited research. Kurdistan is at its peak, through scientific research and legislative codification, but this has yet to affect society at large. While experts may generate factual information based on scientific experiments, publish journals, books or hold seminars regularly. They are not challenging society, their research and findings are repetitive, and that must be changed to cater for a new generation of intellectuals. The ideal goal of Kurdish public intellectuals is to challenge his or thought patterns regardless of the cost. As Christopher Hitchens puts it, there ought to be a word for those men and women who do their own thinking; who are willing to stand the accusation of elitism (or at least to prefer it to the idea of populism); who care for language above all and guess its subtle relationship to truth; and who are willing and able to nail a lie. If such a person should also have a sense of irony and a feeling for history, then, as the French say, tant mieux. most sectors in the government. And the education system has not been immune from this chronic mismanagement. The schools have suffered from lack of funding, while priority and concessions have been given more glamorous projects like Shopping Malls and luxury Hotels. The government have been giving grants and concessions to building mosques but have failed to encourage philanthropists to build schools instead. The increased rate of unemployment and high inflation has consequently made the government recruit more teachers and staff in schools. This policy has meant, less money for schools, which would ideally be spent on better facilities and school project funding. The governments policy might be well intentioned, but this has been counterproductive. In order to make the necessary changes within the Education system, it is imperative that the government makes education reforms their top priority, and invests in making it successful. Many Schools are still without proper facilities and pupils are still taking lesson in overcrowded classes with substandard facilities that lack adequate amenities. An overhaul of the system is needed and it can only start from those that

Women Rights in Kurdistan: Lost and to be Found

During the past decade, the Kurdish society has undergone change at pace unparalleled in the history of the Region. Borders once closed due to ongoing wars and embargoes are now encouraging tourism and business investment. Travel to the Region from abroad is at its highest level in many years. Tradition and modernity meet in the midst of an influx of information and ideas. As a result of this rapid change, it would appear that we are witnessing a society in the process of rebirth, attempting to embrace modernization while trying to maintain a sense of history and cultural identity. This process of becoming is much harder than it appears; it is a painful process in which beliefs, ideals, and traditions are brought into scrutiny in the everyday lives and experiences of members of this society. As these changes occur, the Kurdish region remains a place of paradox in relation to women. Despite the strides women have made in gaining the ability to exercise rights or leadership roles in Kurdistan, they continue to be treated as inferior to men in many aspects of Kurdish society. While boasting a liberal view of women, so called honor violence against women in Kurdistan continues with little substantive change. Honor crimes can take many forms including threats, beatings, imprisonment, or murder, often through apparent forced suicide

by immolation. Examples of honor violence include the attempted murder of a young woman for having sex with her boyfriend before marriage and the murder of a young woman simply for falling in love with a man unapproved of by her family. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq Report, statistics indicate an increase in the occurrence of honor killings in the Kurdish region since 2003, however accurate counts of honor based murders are hard to ascertain as many of these crimes go unreported and numbers can vary significantly between sources. For example, the Directorate to Trace Violence Against Women in Kurdistan claim there were 104 murders of women in 2008 and 85 cases in 2009. This is a substantial difference from numbers reported in the New York Times which alleges more than 12,000 women were killed in honor crimes in Kurdistan from 1991 to 2007. Though accusations that the KRG has failed to implement real change regarding women does hold some merit, I do not believe this is indicative of a lack of commitment to womens issues by government leaders but rather a means of measurement indicating where Kurdish society is in regard to the process of change. Many long held cultural beliefs are being questioned as tradition and modernity clash. It must be understood that this cultural change will not occur overnight but rather over generations as the perceptions of women and notions of honor held from centuries-old cultural beliefs will not easily give way to alternative views.

The patriarchal control of women will not easily give way to the changes taking place in Kurdistan; however, change is inevitable. The concern for leaders, therefore, is the tension created in the individual lives caught in the midst of conflicting views and societal beliefs. A question the Kurdish people and Kurdish leadership must address is the line between what are viewed as long held cultural practices versus direct violations of human rights. Violence against women can no longer be tolerated or excused in the name of cultural relativism; it must be combated through every means possible. The role of government in protecting women must be expanded significantly to prevent further violence against women within Kurdish society. True reform will come only through continued efforts in multiple sectors to address womens rights as human rights, not to be viewed as a favor toward women but the opportunity for women to exercise basic human rights given by right of birth. While the anticipated changes will not and should not create a replica of Western society or Western feminist aims, they must include basic freedoms of women to participate in all walks of society without threat of violence. It is my hope that every avenue available for the protection of women in Kurdistan will be utilized and that doors of opportunity for women to participate in all facets of society will be opened as Kurdish society continues to undergo rapid change. The opportunity exists for Kurds to re-examine their cultural identity and perceptions and form an open society that could be a model of human rights for the entire Middle East.

erating major multi-national firms, the wasta system has a hand profits are skimmed to support patronage, tea-drinking jobs are created for the sons of the well connected, contracts are provided to the companies of loyal supporters, etc. The article in the Atlantic Monthly estimated that 50% of all employment in Iraq is either direct government jobs or jobs in businesses who deal exclusively or nearly so with the government. Is there any wonder, then, why foreign firms, despite the myriad entrepreneurial possibilities in an Iraq trying to recover from decades of misrule and years of war, are conspicuous here mostly by their absence? Third, wasta retards Kurdish society by perpetuating social and cultural assumptions and practices that are no longer suitable to a modern people. Systems of patronage and clientelism are by their nature hierarchical and paternalistic. They subordinate the young whose ambition and inventiveness are often the very sparks of progress for any society to the needs of the established generation. And invariably, women are seen as subordinate to men in disturbing ways, and not because there is some scriptural mandate, but because there is the claim of a tradition whose other benefits in this case supposedly protecting the honor (another of the bizarre byproducts of wastas old-fashioned hierarchy) of women by forcing into nearly complete submission are spurious at best. The truth of the Revolutionary Spring here in Kurdistan is this: it has had no direction, no credo, no manifesto because it has not addressed openly and honestly the true character of Kurdistans problems. Until the young are willing to absent themselves from the wasta system by declining the jobs, academic placements, political connections and so forth that sustain and justify this system, the system will endure, and not only endure, but prosper as a new generation is co-opted by its logic. I have spoken to any number of romantic youth who have told me of their willingness to die for a better Kurdistan. But I have yet to find one who is willing to turn down a tea-drinking job to accomplish the same end. If this werent so sad, it would be funny.

Photo courtesy of creativecommons.com

teach because unless the system is designed in a way that equips teachers with the right skills and values state education can only get worse. Rolling out the changes to other schools across Kurdistan must be a priority and the pace of change must be accelerated. The fast pace of development in Kurdish regions necessitate faster response towards calls for reform. It is obvious that reforming the education system in Kurdistan and building new schools will not bare fruits immediately. Reforming the education system

will cost money, and take time. The government on its own cannot make this a reality, but the community must acknowledge that they need to compromise and contribute in order to have a brighter future for their children. The failure of the education system cannot only be blamed on government mismanagement, but it is a collective responsibility of every member of the Kurdish community to support it and make sacrifices in order to make it a successes.

Public Intellectuals in Kurdistan Kurdistans Health System must be reformed

According to the New York Times, public individuals are strong characters within society at large, enriching it through different and diverse ways. This begs the question of how Public individuals and intellectuals are portrayed within Kurdistan. Ancient Kurdish proverbs praise Kurdish intellectuals that were born and bred on Kurdish soil, but rarely do we see memorials held in the honorable name of so many intellectuals that have walked through Kurdish soil, and changed the face of our society radically. When asking the average Kurd about Kurdish intellectuals, and rich heritage that we have been honored with, what names will they mention? A true intellectual is different from a pundit and an opinion-maker. The latter merely generates their thoughts in an eloquent, or comprehensive manner, while an Intellectual shakes the root of society, and forces peoThere is no doubt that the public sector; one common example is the lengthy waiting list system needs to be revolutionized for surgical operation, which will and this can be done through the leave the patients at the mercy of development of long-term national The health system in Kurd- the private hospitals and their un- strategy of health, which sets out to istan is in desperate need for re- controlled high fees. Those who clearly outline its objectives. At the form, it is outdated and fragment- are lucky enough to receive treat- center of the objectives of these reed through two separate systems. ment in the public sector are indi- forms should be the regulation of The division of public and private rectly pushed to follow up further service provided by staff members at hospitals though legislation. sector has significantly contributed treatment in private clinics. towards the in-cohesiveness within the health system. This combined with loose regulations As a resulhas given rise to widespread abuse of patients and healthcare professionals rights. Privatization of health has dominated the system due to shortPhoto courtesy of creativecommons.com comings of the public sector, which And it becomes incumlacks the requirements of providing One serious consequences of adopting a two-tier system with bent to have independent bodies the essential health services that the general public need. In order to limited regulation is increased cas- that monitor the services provided. cater for this lack of service within es of medical negligence. Medical The ministry of health held a twothe public sector,Therefore the pri- negligence is almost unavoidable day conference in February 2011 vate sector has become a means of in any health system but in Kurdis- on health reforms but the recomcompensation for the gap, which is tan the examples of wrong diagno- mendations and strategies have not sis, delayed or wrong treatment are been available for public review. It unfortunately widening. is clear that with the current overall In order to caterIn order to too common. It is essential to under- budget of health ministry, which is cater for the increasing demand of better services, private sector has stand that the problem is not just 5.8% of the overall budget in 2011, been utilized. However, this comes with the domination of the private the public sector will not be able to at the expense of the public sec- sector in the health system, but meet this demand any time soon. tor because it is driven by quantity the lack of strategic vision of how In addition, the private sector will rather than quality. For example to drive the health system to pro- continue to dominate the services, some of the private clinics have vide a high quality service that is but it will be of public benefit if the been reported to assess and treat up open to the public at large through recommendations of the conferto 70 patients by a single physician a single framework. A strategic vi- ence are published. It might indiin a space of few hours, which is sion which outlines the necessary cate the legitimate ways that are inconceivable in any decent health standards that the providers must available to provide healthcare that comply with and to develop the is easily accessible, affordable, proservice that is driven by quality. The domination of the services which are most needed. tects patients against medical neghealth system by the private sec- The cancer treatment centers and ligence, and is driven by quality as tor is increasingly done by taking stroke units are examples of those opposed to quantity. advantage of the shortcomings in services.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3
plish if given the tools and opportunity. Occasionally, however, I still am. At the American University I see many students doing amazing things as they embrace technology and relish the knowledge they are acquiring. Recently, a group of students participated in a KRG\Microsoft-sponsored software competition called Imagine Cup. I was hoping for a respectable showing. We ended up taking first and second place. The top team will be going to New York City in July to compete with contestants from over 120 countries. They have developed an extraordinary application that may very well win the top prize. We will see. I think that knowledge and its great facilitator, technology, can leverage Iraqs future into something great. Everyone can and must have a hand in it. Thomas Friedman in his book, The World is Flat, describes the

Entertainment & Technology

Internet and rapidly evolving technologies as the great leveler. Regardless of skin color, gender or ethnicity, where you have been or where you are now, the bottom line is what do you know and what can you do? Connected technologies and their natural outgrowth, knowledge, are becoming ubiquitous in this region and all over Iraq. I am reminded of a young member of the schools staff who, among other things, makes coffee and tea for everyone. Based on the average salary for these kinds of jobs, I doubt if there are many dinars left over after the bills are paid. However, he keeps a laptop computer in his kitchen that makes a wireless connection to the Internet, and he has a Nokia smartphone that allows him to cruise the Web, watch TV, and play music. And of course he keeps totally current on Facebook. He does his job well, mind you, but in between brewing tea and making Turkish coffee, he stays connected to the rest of the world. In

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 3

Sports

Kurdistan 2.0
One of the reasons why I was delighted to be invited to write this article is that it supports a vision on the part of the editors of this newspaper to stimulate thought and begin conversations across many different topics of interest to young people. As a teacher of information and knowledge technologies at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani, I applaud this effort. I have the privilege of mostly witnessing -but also assisting where I can -the process where young people begin to accumulate knowledge and unpack their own personal blueprints for the future. They accomplish this by taking courses in a wide variety of subjects; but arguably they learn more outside class through activities like starting newspapers and immersing themselves in an array of new technologies, all of which are connected to the Internet. They

Soccer Has No Limits!

The 2010/11 soccer season in Europe has come to an end. It was a year filled with exciting matches. We have witnessed many astonishing games in high-profile competitions between the teams. It was a season full of surprise, including five El Clsico games and several record-breakings by the clubs and players. As usual, some of the clubs were successful in the transfer market and got many benefits from their signings, while others spent fortunes without any success. All of the major leagues are over, with the winners revealed. In the Premier League, Manchester United F.C. won the title for the 19th time in their history. FC Barcelona won the La Liga for the 21st time, and for the third consecutive year. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund earned its seventh Bundesliga title after nine years of waiting. In Italy, A.C. Milan won the Series A for the 18th time and ended a seven-year title drought. People all over the world were in high spirits concerning these results and their teams efforts. As usual, there were also

NBA Play offs 2011

The NBA playoffs of this season had many surprises for us. The reigning champions of the last two years, The LA Lakers, were eliminated in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks won 4-1 in the Western conference finals against the surprise package in this years NBA playoffs, The Oklahoma City Thunder. They will now face the Miami Heat who own stars like Lebron James and Dwayne Wade and are playing one of their best seasons. Miami Heat won the Eastern finals against Chicago Bulls, the club for which the great Michael Jordan played. Chicago Bulls lost 4-1. So the two victors of each conference will face each other to determine this years NBA championship winner.

do this in a natural and intuitive way; unknowingly building a set of intellectual assets and skills that will help them in the future. These experiences help them establish meaning in their lives and recognize their role in this countrys growth and development. It is almost a clich to point out that todays youth are this countrys future. They drive change and always have. Wikipedia describes the northern region of Iraq as having a young population, and various sources indicate that approximately 40 percent of the population is under the age of 15. Youth and technology have a natural affinity and will unlock the regions great potential, I believe. Knowledge is like water. It is life affirming, and everyone is naturally thirsty for it. Following the many tributaries that make up the Web, knowledge follows a path of least resistance and flows willingly to those who seek it. Over time I have learned not to be surprised at the amazing things young people can accomthe killer (Ghostface) focuses on a new threat, only to make an impact on more-to-come killers of the legend. Wes, himself, has thought that giving it the boring taste of chasing one another is just like any other scream movie, thats why he intended this movie to be more of a changed reason. Scream is a clich of horrors and the best of its kind, it is a new style that had the terror feeling mixed up with the scheme of a movie inside a movie. If your not scared and you wont scream good news, this month, it hits City Cinema!

my opinion, just this action alone gives him a better perspective on how this country can build its future, and in his own small way he contributes to the collective intellectual growth of the region.

Photo courtesy of Creativecommons.com

Kurdish teens view of Xarij

The cheerleaders walking through the halls in all their glory, the tall hunky football players bringing home the trophy, and of course the brace faced, eye glass wearing nerd; elements that make the life of an American teenager, the source of fascination and wonder for kids all around other parts of the world. So one has to question, does America really live up to all this fascination and wonder swirling around it and its grand white picket fence? I suppose so. On the outside looking in, life in an American high school is great. You have the freedom to be who you choose to. Individualism is appreciated and you choose friends depending on how well you get along and not how famous your parents are. So many Kurdish kids watch American shows and movies and are so quick to judge our culture and heritage for all that it lacks in comparison to the easy, fun lives of American teenagers. We despise the restraints that our narrow-minded, backward thinking society places on us at an age where our main concerns should be enjoying our youth. But what each and every single one of the TV shows and movies fail to show us is all of the doubts and insecurities in each American teen, the pressure of alcohol and drugs, and the difficulty of constantly being bombarded with images of what we should look like. What the media also does not show us are the benefits of our society and our heritage. The family values, the knowledge of our nations past, and the drive to make our country and our people stronger than it was: these are traits that are almost universal to Kurdish teens but are lacking in many teens in countries we idolize. So the question is this. Are we willing to trade in our ambition, our patriotism, and our love for one another for a pair of pom poms, the ability to date publicly, and the freedom to wear short skirts?

Scream 4
Scream 4 or presented as (SCRE4M), is an American horror film and the fourth installment in the series of Scream. Wesley Craven, the original creator of the series, has directed the movie once again. It is due to come out this month. The movie now, focuses on a new idea, new rules, and a re-creation of the elements of the previous movies. This time,

tears of heartbreak from others. As for the bigger European competitions, F.C. Porto won the UEFA Europa League by beating Braga 1-0 in the final on May 18. But all eyes will be on the mouth-watering clash of the season, the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United on May 28. Each of the finalists had had the honor of being the champion three times before and was eager to add another glorious victory to their history. It was Barcelona who emerged as the new champion in an outstanding match where they won

3-1, courtesy of goals from Pedro, Messi, and Villa. It was a joyous day as players and fans celebrated their fourth European title. Although the leagues have just ended, the clubs are already in search for new players to improve their teams for the new season. Soccer has always been a remarkable source of entertainment, laying upon us mixed feelings. Fans are already anticipating the start of the new season and the massive matches accompanying it. So let us wait for the endless surprises the beautiful game holds for us!

My Friend Who Never Spoke to Me

Swish. Three points. Swish. Three more. Swish. He couldnt miss! The short, skinny Asian boy with mismatching clothes and matted hair was a true sniper on the basketball court. Never in my life had I seen such an unathleticlooking kid play so well. And his talent was not limited to longrange practice - this kid could flat-out play! Dribbling, passing, jumping - he did it all, and with such passion it was almost scary. I approached him as one might approach an exotic creature in a zoo, with a strange mix of awe, curiosity, and fear. Hey, Im Logan, I offered. Whats your name? No answer. I tried again, My names Logan, you play for Service? Swish, Swish. Normally at this point, I would simply walk off and leave him be; if he didnt want to talk, he didnt have to. But this boy so intrigued me (almost inexplicably) that I stuck around. In fact, I waited for several minutes as he drifted around the court, raining jumpers from all over the place. I waited for what I knew would be the right time. I waited for the only moment a basketball player in a groove would be willing to talk. I waited- CLUNK! He finally missed one, the bedraggled sniper was still human it seemed! I calmly snatched up the loose ball and walked over to him. I didnt catch your name, Im Logan. I extended my hand. It was then that I finally got a good look at him. He couldnt have been older than 10, though his play suggested otherwise. However, his face was what really captured my attention. His eyes were fearful and his frown was deep; this child had experienced more than his share of hardship, which was obvious. He looked at my hand, and then looked away. He meant no offense by it, but he certainly felt uncomfortable shaking hands with a stranger. Then, with a shrug, he motioned to his lips and shook his head. I then realized that he did not speak English. However, I was not going to let that barrier stop me from getting to know this foreign phenomenon. I motioned to the basketball in my hands, and then pointed to him and me, asking if he wanted to play 1-on-1. He nodded vigorously, suggesting that he didnt play basketball with others all too often. I suppose thats because many people would discount him as a short skinny kid with no ability. I shot first, for possession of the ball, and made it. He passed me the ball and nodded in recognition of the nice shot. My first possession was not so pretty, however, as I tried to drive to the basket. My thinking was that since I stood about 18 inches taller than my opponent, I had better take it inside and get an easy layup. He did not like that idea. The minute I started dribbling, he practically dove through my legs and, with ease, swiped the ball. In one smooth motion, he proceeded to cross the 3-point line, bring the ball up just above his head, and hoist a picture perfect shot from downtown. Swish. It was going to be a long game. Drenched in sweat, we sat on the bleachers after a hardfought game to 21. Though I had managed to beat him, I had a tremendous amount of respect for his level of play. Here was someone, a child really, who was able to seriously compete against an athlete twice his size (and perhaps twice his age). Suddenly I realized, the merit in this courageous young mans actions was not so much rooted in his talent on the basketball court, although that alone was certainly admirable. No, what impressed me more was that this boy taught me never to underestimate others based on appearance. He taught me that anyone is able to excel regardless of age or size. He taught me that by being persistent in reaching out to those less fortunate, we can ourselves be blessed even more than those to whom we are reaching out. Most of all, however, that boy on the hard court taught me that anyone can teach a life lesson, and sometimes the only medium worth using is silence.

Roma Restaurant: More than Dinner

I had almost completely lost hope in having a genuine meal out in Sulaimani before Roma restaurant was opened. It is fair to say that there are several good dining places in the city that serve good food but whenever I dined at any of them, I always felt like something was missing. What make Roma stand out are its mouthwatering food, healthy and fresh ingredients, quite generous portions for an affordable price, and delicious Italian food with a Kurdish touch. Situated at the left end of Tuy Malik Street, Roma restaurant has a romantic and lively atmosphere where you can have a quiet and enjoyable time with your family and friends. The restaurant has an elegant air-conditioned setting complemented by two beautiful aquariums on the walls which give the restaurant a soothing and delightful look. Moreover, you can have your meal in the cozy homely garden decorated especially to make you feel like you are sitting in nature. The selection of meals offered range from tasty Italian pasta dishes to pizza and Greek cuisine sizzling when served. My favorite food so far has been a dish they call Napoleon which can be cooked with either beef or chicken in a specially prepared sauce served with rice and salad which is absolutely delicious and insatiable. And if you are in a hurry and wish for a tasty mouthful, their hamburger is just perfect; it is so good that it makes you feel like there is a party in your mouth. Being warmly welcomed by the waiters and cordially greet-

ed by the chef, one instantly feels that they are going to be served great food. The waiters are really friendly and very polite and are always there to make sure that you are satisfied with the service. Their determination to use fresh, organic, and locally sourced meats and vegetables is very comforting to their customers and make them keep going back for more. You can top it all with a glass of their fresh fruit cocktails which make your evening even better. I highly recommend this restaurant and I guarantee you will have a memorable dining experience.

Photo by Rebaz Kamal Amin

Photo courtesy of Creativecommons.com

Graphics by Marwan Muhammed

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 2

Leisure

Learning English with Awat

In this issue and the upcoming ones we will explain the 8 parts of speech: verb, noun, adjective, adverb, pronoun, conjunction, preposition, and interjection. Each part of speech explains not what the word is but how the word is used. In fact, the same word can be a noun in one sentence and a verb or adjective in the next. We will begin with the verb: The verb asserts something about the subject of the sentence and expresses actions, events, or states of being. The verb has many tenses and we need to know how and when to use them. We will present two tenses in this issue: present simple and present continuous. The Present Simple When it is used? - To talk about regular activities, routines, and habits. - We start work at 9.am every day. - Mary eats fish on Fridays. - To talk about facts. - The sun rises in the east. - Authors write books. - To talk about tastes. - Ahmad likes Chinese food. - Hanar doesnt like fish. The Present Continuous When it is used? - To talk about continuous activities: 1) at the time of speaking: - I am reading this page now. 2) around now, in a more general sense: I am learning English this year. - To talk about planned future arrangements: - Next month I am spending my holidays in Australia. - Our neighbors are coming to dinner tomorrow. Most commonly confused words: - LOSE--verb, to misplace or not win ex: You should not lose the video game. - LOOSE--adjective, to not be tight; verb (rarely used)--to release ex: The burglars pants were so loose that he was sure to lose the race with the cop chasing him.

Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

Helen Keller
homeland has separated me from music performances and the love of the community that taught me music. Other than this concert, I am currently working on a CD that will be released by August. Kamal Muhammad and I have many songs together. But we have not talked about releasing another piece together. I warmly welcome your newspaper. I truly appreciate several young people like you all who concern themselves with important matters and interview artists and singers.

Salar Mahmud on his Recent Trip back to Kurdistan

Reported by Ranj Ahmed, Translated by Razhan Kawa I have come back to Sulaimany for the purpose of arranging a concert in the Arts Palace on the 3rd of June. I would be very glad to see an audience there. Attendance is for all. I will go back to the West soon. This trip to Sulaimany is only temporary; I will go back once I finish the job I came here for. I have not produced new music since several years now. The distance from my

Photo by Ranj Ahmed

Cartoon by Sarmad Kinany

Photo of the month

Created by Marwan Muhammed

The death of a murderer.

Photo by Marwan Muhammed