News

Remembering Halabja in Arizona

By: Nuha Azad Sarraj

On March 8, 2008, Kurdish Youth Club in Arizona held a commemoration for the innocent Kurds of Halabja who lost their lives 20 years ago (March 16, 1988) by the Iraqi regime's chemical and cluster bombs. They spent weeks planning for a well organized event that would educate the younger Kurdish generations as well as those seeking to learn the history of Halabja.

Although this was not the first time for Arizona to hold such events, it was, however, the first time they brought a speaker who witnessed the genocide and was among the survivors who begged to be heard. Kurdish Youth Club asked for donations from their community to bring Kak Mohamed Aziz to Arizona. Kak Mohamed flew in from Nashville, Tennessee and spent hours sharing his stories with the audience. The event, which was scheduled to last 2 hours, went on for much longer. The event was open to everyone and among the crowd were Indians, Pakistanis, and American students who came to support the Kurds. They listened attentively, and enthusiastically asked questions to better understand the genocide that shook the Kurdish nation.

Brochures were also made and passed out to the audience as a way of making sure Halabja continues to be a part of their lives. One of the audience members, Kaziwa H., decided she was going to join KYC and work alongside the other members. After 4 hours of educating and learning, Kurdish Youth Club marked their event a success.

Once again, this week, Kurdish communities in America organized series of demonstrations across USA. The collaboration and organization of the demonstration fell on shoulders of a handful of active Kurdish Youth in America. Kurdish Youth, who believe in a brighter future for their Kurdistan and their Kurdish people. The effort was not only bipartisan it was a unifying force that brought Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan to collaborate in making the Kurdish voice heard.  

They stood with signs asking for peace and immediate withdrawal of all Turkish army including their bases inside of Kurdistan. In their interviews with reporters, protesters urged the American people to stand firm by their Kurdish Allies. Kurdistan is a safe and prosperous region with a western style democracy, explained Ara Alan in Atlanta Georgia. Rebaz Qerdagi in Nashville Tennessee further explained that Turkish invasion of Iraqi-Kurdistan will destabilizes Iraq. In Phoenix Arizona, Salar Kalle warned pedestrians of a second Iraq war as result of Turkey's invasion. In Washington DC among the screaming crowed was Sheila Mohhamadian calling on Turkey to stop war and start peace. Dallas Texas was not short of loud Kurds including Nizar Tovi screaming on top of his lungs: Stop Turkish Aggression. In Jacksonville Florida Aryan Akryai was calling on Turkey to let Kurdistan live! In California, two different cities demonstrated. Raving Barwari in San Diego explained Turkey must end its military war on Kurds and consider a political alternative. Goran Sadjadi, along with fellow demonstrators in San Francisco California, called on US for a confirmatory condemnation of Turkey’s violation of international borers. 

These demonstrations started with Nashville Tennessee on February 27 2008. Nashville is home of the largest Kurdish communities in America.  Demonstrations started in a cold day and it snowed on Nashville protesters. Protestors across US leaped into Demonstrations on Friday February 29 2008. One city after next, the Kurds started protesting; screaming and yelling. Washington DC set the mood for the rest with the first protest on that Friday morning. Demonstrations followed in Atlanta, Dallas, Jacksonville, Phoenix, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Friday was a leap day. It was a unique day. It was a day of unified Kurdish voice against aggression. Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan stood side by side speaking their different dialects to one another. What unified them all was the urge to stand for Kurdistan and justice.

There was yet another demand, which wasn’t being shouted out at the protest. This demand was among the crowed from Washington DC to San Francisco; it was their demand of support. Support from all Kurds and especially the Youth. We ask them to stand by us when we stand for Kurdistan. At sensitive times as such, Kurds of America, Europe, Australia, and Kurdistan must stand and be loud. We must all stand and make our voice heard. The world must know that Kurds are one, and Kurds are strong.

November 2, 2007

National Demonstration Asking To stop Turkish Aggression into Kurdistan 

We are demonstrating across America on November 2^nd 2007 to express our outrage and concern about the Turkish Parliament’s recent vote approving the use of military force to violate Iraq’s integrity and national sovereignty by invading Iraq on the pretext of fighting Kurdish rebels from Turkey.

Following the Coalition Forces’ libration of Iraq in 2003, Iraqi Kurdistan has committed to establish and enforce the rule of law; to establish a democratic, stable and reliable form of government; and to encourage economic growth and development in the region. As an ally to the United State and democracy, Iraqi Kurdistan serves as a political and economical model for similar changes that can be replicated throughout the Middle East.

 The Kurdistan Regional leadership has expressed on many occasions its desire to establish good relation with each of its neighbors and its policy of non-interference in the affairs of its neighbors.

However, the Turkish Parliament’s recent vote in support of military aggression against Iraq threatens to destroy all that has been developed in Iraqi Kurdistan over the past 15 years, including the reconstruction of countless villages and towns, and the economic prosperity that this region has worked so hard to establish, following years of devastation and deprivation under Saddam Hussein’s genocidal rule.

 Turkey has been pursuing this same path of military aggression against the Kurds since its establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923. History teaches us that military aggression is not the answer that will resolve the demands of ethnic minorities living within a broader national government. In case of Turkey, the Kurds comprise an ethnic minority more than 20 million people.

 The long-term denial by the Turkish Government of the Kurd’s existence as a separate ethnic group ( they are referred to by the Turkish Government only as “Mountain Turks” rather than as Kurds), and of the Kurds right to participate freely in the Turkish political process and to only express their language, culture, and heritage must be reversed.

 While the current Turkish Government has made some concessions regarding Kurdish rights, the Parliaments recent vote endorsing military aggression is not the answer that will resolve these fundamental issues. Only by initiating and pursuing good faith a dialogue with the Kurds of Turkey can these fundamental concerns be resolved.

 We thank the United States, the European Union, the Arab League and numerous other countries and organizations that have attempted to persuade Turkey to exercise restraint and to avoid taking military action in Iraq.

 Kurdish American Community     

August 19 2007

Kurdish Youth Club's Third seminar on Higher Education

By: Ara Alan

           On August 19th, 2007 Kurdish Youth Club held their third seminar on Higher
Education. The aim of the seminar was to promote a higher enrollment in
college for  Kurdish youth in America.
             The seminar on August 19th was held in the city of Phoenix,
Arizona,unlike its two predecessors that were held in Nashville, Tennessee. After
invitations and sponsorship from Kurdish Society of Arizona, members of KYC
traveled from Atlanta, Nashville and different parts of Arizona to make the
event a reality.
             The seminar was opened by Mr. Firah Kalle with  AKS's speech.
Then followed by a beautiful Kurdish folk music presentation by Mr. Pourian. The
smooth folk music that ranged from Sorani and Louri to Badini opened all hearts and
prepared the audience for the KYC seminar.

             Ara Alan, General Secretary of KYC, opened the seminar on
Higher Education with an introduction of the youth group then he followed with a
power point presentation. In his presentation Mr. Alan brought to light the basic requirements a person would need to go to college. Covering basic information on the required courses in high school, GPA, SAT/ACT tests, and extracurricular activities. For those that have dropped out of college the possibility of acquiring a GED was discussed. Mr. Alan warned that GED must be viewed as a second chance for those who couldn't finish high school due to unfortunate circumstances and also that a GED should never be thought of as an easy way out of high school.  How one can pay for college and the difference between scholarships, grants, loans and work study programs were thoroughly
discussed as well. His presentation also included tips for the parents on how to help their youth with their school and how to enable them to get more help from the school counselors.
             The second part of the seminar was called "How I got to college". In this part of the presentation different members of KYC talked about their own experiences on how they got to the different colleges and universities.  The aim of this portion of the resentation was to show positive role models for the youth. It  showed that there are other Kurdish youth  like themselves who are going to college and universities. This portion of the seminar is critical because it teaches through personal stories provided by each member including what mistakes they have made and what they have learned. In this section Mr. Ara Alan talked about how he got to Master's Degree in Microbiology.  His story was followed by Mr. Rebaz Qaradaghi where he told the audience how he got to Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and the hardship that he faced while experiencing life
away from home in the dormitories. Mr. Qaradaghi was then followed by Mrs. Salar Kalle when she told of how she got to Registered Nursing. Mrs. Kalle brought to light the role of Kurdish girls and their parents. She spoke very frankly of some difficulties that Kurdish girls face when it comes to choosing the schools they desire. Mrs. Kalle was then followed by Mr. Azad Dursun where he talked about how he  got to PHD in Political Science. Mr. Dursun spoke of the need to take advantage of the great opportunities for
education in US. He pointed out that many youth in different parts of Kurdistan are deprived even of the chance to just go to school.  Mr. Dursun was then followed by Mr. Azad Sameen when he talked about how he got to Pre-Med in Biology. Mr. Sameen spoke of the importance of students to know what to study early on. He stated knowing what to study early on would save you time and money! Mr. Sameen was followed by KYC's final panelist Mrs. Nuha Sarraj where she spoke on how she got her Bachelor's in Political Science. Mrs. Sarraj, in an active format of question and answer, addressed
the audience and the youth in particular by emphasizing the importance of  hard work and high grades in school.
              The panel was then followed by a Question and Answer section. Many of the
parents and students asked questions from how to pay for college, how to recognize what to study, and finding which school is good for the individual?
              Once the seminar was then conclude, Mr. Pourian followed with
Kurdish dance music and songs. The audience, as usual, was ready to dance,
formed lines, and started partying. Shaz music group followed in and continued to
make the party more vibrant with Mr. Muhamed Farraj singing and Mr. Farman
Aref performing music in a Kurdish style that is typical of the region of
Suleimani.
             While most people danced, many concerned parents and students
continued with their questions to the different KYC members throughout the evening.
Also for the first time the Kurdish youth of Arizona formed an organization of their own hence creating a branch of the Kurdish Youth Club that will work as a sister organization to the two other branches of KYC in Atlanta and in Nashville. This was completed by optimistic youth standing in lines outside the party in the main hallway where they waited to acquire membership.  The youth in Arizona stood in line to fill out an application for KYC and to decide on their next meeting and projects that they would like to bring about for their community and Kurdistan.

کۆمه‌له‌ی لاونی کورد (کوردیش یووث کڵه‌ب) هه‌ستان به‌ گرتنی سێهه‌مین سێمینار  بۆ هاندانی لاوان و گه‌نجان بۆ خوێندنی باڵا

کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوان ئه‌م سێمیناره‌یان گرت له‌ دوای گرتنی دوو سێمیناری تر ساڵی 2006 له‌ شاری ناشڤیل له‌ ته‌نه‌سسی. سێمیناری ئه‌مساڵ که‌ له‌ ڕێکه‌وتی 19 ی 8ی 2007 دا به‌سترا له‌ شاری فینیکس له‌ ولایه‌تی ئه‌ریزۆنا به‌ مه‌به‌ستی هاندانی لاوان بۆ چونیان به‌ره‌و خوێندنی باڵا. به‌ مه‌به‌ستی هێنانه‌ دی ئه‌م سێمیناره‌ ئه‌ندامانی کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوان له‌ جێگای جیا جیا و دووری ئه‌مریکاوه‌ کۆبوونه‌وه .ئه‌ندامان له‌ شاره‌کانی ئه‌تله‌نتا و ناشڤیل و به‌شه‌ جیاجیاکانی ئه‌ریزۆناوه‌ کۆبوونه‌وه. سێمیناره‌که‌ له‌لایه‌ن کاک فریا کاڵێوه‌ کرایه‌وه به‌ وتاری کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی کوردی ئه‌ریزۆنا. پاشان کاک پوریان به‌ ده‌نگه‌ خۆشه که‌ی و چه‌ند پارچه‌ گۆرانیه‌کی فۆلکلۆری گوێگرانی ئاماده‌ کرد.

 .  سێمیناری به‌ره‌و خوێندنی باڵا له‌ لایه‌ن کاک ئارا ئالان، سکرتێری گشتی کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوانه‌وه‌ کرایه‌وه پاش ناساندنی گوێگران به‌ کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوانی کورد کاک ئارا ئالان پاوه‌ر پۆینتی پێشکه‌ش کرد‌. .

له‌م به‌شه‌دا کاک ئارا ئالان به‌ قووڵی باسی چۆنێتی خوێندنی کرد و چۆن قوتابی ده‌توانێت وه‌ربگیرێت و چ جۆره‌ نمره‌یه‌ک و ئه‌رکێک ده‌که‌ونه‌ سه‌ر خوێندکار و دایک و باوکیان. بایه‌خێکی تایبه‌تی درا به‌ ڕوونکردنه‌وه‌ی شێوازی خوێندن له‌ ئه‌مریکا و جیاوازیه‌کانی له‌گه‌ل کوردستاندا تا دایک و باوکان بتوانن باشتر هاریکاری منداڵه‌کانیان بکه‌ن.

به‌‌شی دووه‌می سێمیناره‌که‌ پێکهاتبوو له ئه‌ندامانی کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوانی کورد باسی چۆنێتی گه‌شتنیان به‌ به‌شه‌ جیا جیاکانی خوێندنی باڵا له‌ ئه‌مریکا. ئه‌مه‌ به‌شێکی گرنگی سێمیناره‌که‌یه‌ چونکه‌ ئاندامان خۆیان وه‌ک نمونه‌یاک به‌کارده‌هێنن بۆ هاندانی گه‌نجانی کورد به‌ره‌و خوێندن و فێرکردنیان له‌ رێگای ئه و هه‌ڵانه‌ی که‌ ئه‌ندامان خۆیان کردویانه به‌ هۆی نه‌بوونی هاریده‌ده‌ر. له‌م به‌شه‌دا کاک ئارا ئالان باسی چۆنێتی به‌ره‌و خوێندنی خۆی کرد بۆ ماجستێر له‌ مایکرۆ بایۆلۆجی. کاک ڕێباز قه‌ره‌داخی باسی چۆنێتی به‌ره‌و خوێندنی خۆی کرد به‌ره‌و به‌که‌لرێۆس له‌ ئه‌ندازیاری. خاتوو سالار کاڵێ باسی چۆنێتی به‌ره‌و خوێندنی خۆی کرد بۆ ڕێجسته‌رد نه‌رسینگ. کاک ئازاد دوورسوون باسی چۆنێتی به‌ره‌و خوێندنی کرد بۆ دکتۆرا له‌ زانسته‌کانی ڕامیاری.  کاک ئازاد سامیین پاشان باسی به‌ره‌و خوێندنی خۆی کرد له‌ پریمێد بایۆلۆجی. خاتوو نوها سه‌راج باسی چۆنێتی خۆ گه‌یاندنی کرد به‌ به‌کالرێۆس له‌ زانیستی ڕامیاری. 

باوکان و دایکان و قوتابیان پرسیاریان کرد له‌سه‌ر زانکۆ جیاجیاکان و چۆنیه‌تی ناسینی زانکۆی باش و ڕێگا و جیا جیا بۆ پاره‌ پێدانی خوێندن.

سێمیناره‌که‌ پاشان کۆتای پێهات به‌ ئاهه‌نگ و دانسکردن له‌ لایه‌ن هه‌موانه‌وه‌.

شایانی باسه‌ کاتێک زۆرینه‌ی خه‌ڵک خه‌ریکی شایکردن بوون ئه‌ندامانی کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوان خه‌رێکی وه‌ڵامدانه‌وه‌دی دایک و باوک و خوێندکاران بوون که‌ پرسیارکردنیان تا کۆتای ئاهه‌نگه‌که‌ ته‌واو نه‌ده‌بوو. هه‌روه‌ها له‌ پاش سێمیناره‌که‌دا گه‌نجان و لاوان ڕیزیان گرتبوو بۆ پڕکردنه‌وه‌ی فۆرمی ئه‌ندامی بۆ کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوانی کورد و بنکه‌یه‌کی نوێ بۆ کۆمه‌ڵه‌ی لاوانی کورد له‌ ئه‌ریزۆنا ڕاگه‌یه‌ندرا.  ‌‌  

Newroz Dedicated to Education!

By: Ara Alan

araalan@gmail.com

The Kurdish Youth Club in Atlanta, Georgia did it again: another great
celebration of Newroz and the new year! Like the past years, Newroz for KYC
had a theme and this time it was education. A theme is chosen for Newroz to
further shed light on a topic that is needed to be addressed by our
communities in diaspora.

Pursuing  higher education is a detrimental necessity of our youth.
Currently there is a lag in number of those youth that go into college than
those that get recruited into the labor force. To build a strong Kurdish
Community in diaspora, we must have an educated and fairly wealthy
community. One of the easiest ways to achieve such status in the United
States is by pursuing higher education.

Kurdish Youth Club's theme for this year was chosen based on such
needs.  The importance of education was exemplified to the audience who
gathered to celebrate the Kurdish New Year. The evening program started off
with Kurdish and English hosts, Halo Mohammed and Helene Sairany,
introducing themselves and the evening program. The project commenced by
first calling for a moment of silence and playing our anthem “Ay Reqib”
during which time the KYC Color Guard introduced the flags of Kurdistan and
KYC presented in an outstanding ceremonial march.  Through a power- point
presentation, Ara Alan informed the guests of the identity of KYC and
what the organization’s goals are. These included promotion of Kurdish
culture and creation of a bridge between Kurds and non-Kurds where these
diverse cultures can meet and exchange knowledge, heritage, and build well
informed citizens. Other KYC goals include formation of network and self
help groups that can aid and guide the youth to better their own lives. KYC
also aims at incorporating the new methods, knowledge and technologies that
are acquired by the youth to better serve Kurdistan. Kurdish youth have to
continued non-stop throughout the night. The evening was scheduled to finish
at 12:00 A.M. but at the request of our guests, the program and dancing was
extended to 1:30 A.M.  until everyone danced to the point of exhaustion!

This Newroz celebrated on the date of April 7th, 2007 had a historical
significance to the members of Kurdish Youth Club. Newroz truly
highlighted the power and ability of the Kurdish youth in diaspora. It was
not an easy task to deliver such a heavy program successfully but we pulled
it off as a team. It also showed the support of Kurdish people to KYC and
the general understanding of the necessity for such programs as promotion of
education. Kurdish Youth Club has officially declared a large scale
offensive for proclaiming education and we are currently  scheduling such
events with numerous  Kurdish communities across United States. If you would
like to help KYC and/or become a member, or if you realize the need for
campaigns such as promoting education in your community, please feel
free to contact us to schedule such events. We are also providing a
link here to view a ten minute video-slide of the Newroz For Education
party.

To view picture video of our event please click

http://kurdishyouthclub.com/page7.aspx

Newroz celebration in 2006.

With the recent uprising and demonstrations in northern Kurdistan, we decided to dedicate this year’s program to raise awareness of the current situation in Northern Kurdistan and the latest persecutions. Our objective this year was to bring as many non Kurds as possible in an attempt to further reach out to other nation and communities. This goal was achieved through hard work and dedications of not only the KYC members but of the supportive Kurdish Community in greater Atlanta Georgia. Newroz was celebrated not only by the Kurds but by many of our faculty and university teachers as well. 

Our event was held at Georgia State Universities Ballroom.

The program consisted of:

1)      Welcoming of the guests by the host and hostess in Kurdish and English. (Van Aran and Helo Helebjei)

2)       Moment of silence

3)      Kurdish National Anthem (Eyreqib)

4)      KYC’s speech for the community and the guests, by KYC general secretary Ara Alan.

5)      A brief history of the Kurds by Mamosta Sherko

6)      Pease of slow music of Kurdish traditional instrument (nay) by Makwan Jabar.

7)      Speech from the Armenian Community by Janet Mirzovian.

8)      Introduction and explanation of the recent uprising in Northern Kurdistan by Selcuk Coynchuk and preparation of slide and pictures by Heval Mohamed-Kelly and Ara Alan.

9)      Break for delicious Kurdish food and resting at the adjacent building (food was a potluck from all attending guests).

10)  Start event of music and dance to celibrate the Newroz, by the guest singer Mohamed Amjadi from Eastern Kurdistan and a guest from Tennessee.  Local Musician Khalid Ahmad also participated. The Music was provided by Makwan jabar.

11)  End of a wonderful Newroz Year and celebration with Eyreqib.