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From the Heart of Kurdistan RegionThe only English paper in Iraq - No: 414 Mon. September 30, 2013Wave of car bombingshit ErbilGLOBE PHOTO/Safin Hamid

The Kurdish Globe No. 414, Monday, September 30, 2013 3Wave of car bombings hit ErbilA series of explosions hitthe Iraqi city of Erbil, thecapital of Kurdistan Reggionyesterday killing sixpeople and injuring 84others.Five car bombs hadbeen detonated near theheadquarters of Kurdishsecurity services on Sundday,followed by gunfire.The first blast was a suiccidecar bomb, while anexplosives-rigged ambullancewas detonated whenpeople rushed to check forcasualties.As soon as the explosionoccurred, gun shots wereheard and cars reversed inan attempt to escape thechaotic situation. Securityforces were also able todiffuse another car bombbefore it could be detonateed,according to reports.Security forces issued awarning to all citizens inErbil not to get close tothe explosion areas. Alltransportation into and outof Erbil, the Kurdish capittal,were halted for severalhours.Those injured in the blastwere taken to Hospital.Sunday's blasts were thefirst to hit Erbil since May2007, when a truck bombexploded near the sameasayesh headquarters, killiing14 people and woundiingmore than 80.The blasts came a day aftterresults were announcedfor the region's parliamenttaryelections, which sawKurdistan Democratic Parttyin the first place Changemovement in second placeahead of Patriotic Unionof Kurdistan which is inthe third place.Security forces stand on guard and inspect the remains of a blast happened in front of Erbil's security main building in the province of Erbil, capital of the autonomousKurdistan Region. A string of blasts hit the city, killing six security members personnel and injuring 62 others, on September 29.GLOBE PHOTO/Safin HamidOver 660 people killed in Iraq in SeptemberThe number of peoplekilled in Iraqi in Septtemberincreased aftermilitants attacked localgovernment and policebuildings in northernIraq with suicide bombsand mortar fire on Septtember24, sparkingclashes that killed a furtther14 people among 24deaths nationwide.One suicide bomberdetonated an explosivesriggedvehicle near apolice station, while asecond blew up anothernear a local administrattivebuilding.Militants then hit bothbuildings and a localcouncil office with morttarfire, and gunmenclashed with the army.Seven civilians, threesoldiers and four milittantswere killed and 22people wounded.The Hawijah assaultcame a day after milittantsattacked two pollicestations and a loccalofficial’s house intwo towns northwest ofBaghdad, killing sevenpolice and the official’sbrother. In the capital,six members of a singlefamily were shot deadtoday, officials said.The UN refugee agenccysaid yesterday thatit was “increasinglyconcerned about thesituation in Iraq, whererecent waves of sectariianviolence threaten tospark new internal dispplacementof Iraqis fleeiingbombings and otherattacks.”With the latest viollence,more than 660people have been killedthis month and over 4450 since the beginningof the year, accordingto AFP figures basedon security and medicalsources.Diplomats and anallystssay the Shiite-ledgovernment’s failure toaddress the grievancesof the Sunni Arab minnority,who complain ofpolitical exclusion andabuses at the hands ofthe security forces, hasdriven the spike in viollencethis year.A man walks past the site of two bomb attacks in the Adhamiya district of Baghdad, September 24, 2013PRESS PHOTO

The Kurdish Globe No. 414, Monday, September 30, 2013 4Hospitality and tourism on the boom in ErbilDedeman Erbil GM sees Kurdistan a future tourist destinationAs part of thebusiness boom inKurdistan Region,and its capital cityErbil in particular,more foreignbusiness people,diplomats andtourists are visitingthe region and thecity. This has ledto a fast growthof hospitalityand tourism sector.A number of internationalchain hotels are alreadyopen in Erbil and Suleimmaniya,another city inKurdistan Region. Dozenothers are under constructtionand expected to offertheir internationally rennownedhospitality to thisnew hospitality front ofthe world.Rotana, Divan, Dedeman,Copthorn and Ramada arealready open and Marriott,Hilton,DoubleTree by Hiltton,Kempinski, Sheraton,Best Western, and manyother names are on theway and will opne in thecoming years.Ahmet Doĝangün, GeneeralManager of DedemanErbil, member of the TurkiishDedeman Chain Hottelsopened around fourmonths ago, says in couppleyears as the new hotelsopen, the competition willgrow and” the one whoprovide most personalizedservice to their customerswill win.”In the future who folllowsthe new trends andtakes actions immediatelywıll win.“At Dedeman we don’tuse the word customers,we believe they are “ourguests, and we treat themlike this,” Doĝangun saidin an exclusive interviewwith the Kurdish Globe,while his staff was offferinghighest quality ofTurkish delight next to ahot cup of perfect Turkiishcoffee. All of thesecame with a hot smilefrom the waiter. “We wantour guests to feel at home.We have decorated ourhotel and our rooms withthat in mind. They havea home-like atmosphere.Our mission to show autthenticTurkish hospitalityto Erbil.”Talking about competittion,Dedeman GM saidtheir competition is themsselves.“You either deliverhigh quality service andwin the competition or theother way around.”Although the numberof hotels are increasingvery fast in Kurdistan,however, many, amongthem Doĝangun, believethat there are still a lot ofthings to be done beforethis region become a touriistarea.“It is right that we havea lot of hotels and otheersare coming to themarket, but this does notby itself attract tourists,especially Western touriists,”Doĝangun argues.“Kurdistan needs to createmore tourist attractions,like health tourism, histtoricaltourism, shopping,etc. Currently there are notmuch activities for touriststo do here. Just a nice hottelis not enough.”Doĝangun was talkingabout the history of touriismin his country, Turkey.It took a long time to reachtoday, when it brings billlionsof dollars to thiscountry every year.“Twenty years ago, Turkkeyonly had sea, sand andsun, now it has virtuallyanything tourists thinkof,” stated Doĝangun. “Iknow you don’t have sea,but you have a lot of otherthings, you have a wealthof history and archeology.You can work on theseand develop your tourismsector.”Among the other challlengesin tourism sectorin Kurdistan, Doĝangun,believes that starting ahotel is a challenge andconstruction companies,suppliers, workforce, commmunityand infrastructureare among the factors.However, he claims theyhave almost overcome allthe challenges and theirbusiness is very goodcompared to the short perriodthey have been open.“Two and a half yearsago this area was empty.Even 4 months ago, whenI came here, a lot of workwas still to be done. Butnow it is a proper hotel,and even though we areduring the soft openingperiod.”He also added that it wasnot easy to create the team,especially the local teammembers, since one cannnoteasily find the skillsand qualifications locally.“But now, I have anamazing team, 20% ofwhom are local, 20% fromSyria and the rest internattional.We have 14 differeentnationalities workingin this hotel, all in a perffectharmony.”Doĝangun also talkedDedeman Erbil's GM Ahmet Dogangun takes pride of being part of the opening team of the "successfulproject" of his hotel in the Kurdish capital city of Erbil. Sunday, September 29, 2013.about his hotel’s relationsshipwith the environmment,the authorities andthe neighborhood. He saidhe has tried to make eveeryonearound a friend andhas also taught his team tobe the same.“We have to have a verygood relationship with ourneighbors, and I visit themand listen to their compplaintsin case there havebeen any concerns aboutour hotel. We have goodcommunication with theauthorities and we are folllowingand respect all thelaws and regulations andtry to be as friendly businnessas possible.”Dedeman managementhas been doing some soccialactivities such as offferingfree Iftar for peopleduring Ramadan, helpingout refugees, and tryingto keep environment cleanby planting trees insideand around the area in thefuture and keeping thesurrounding cleaned allthe time.“Although these havebeen on a very low scale,we are planning to have adedicated Social ResponssibilityPolicy and conttributemore to the societywe are living in and doingbusiness in.”“Dedeman owners andmanagement have taughtus to be like this and wewant to spread this cultureamong our team. We wantto stand out in the marketby what we offer to ourcustomers and third parttiesas well. I think this isthe key to success.”GLOBE PHOTO/Safin HamidThe European Parliament calls forurgent help for Syrian refugeesStruan Stevenson, aScottish Member of theEuropean Parliament(MEP), who is head ofthe Parliament’s SpecialDelegation for Iraq Relattions,sent an official lettterto Catherine Ashton,the EU’s High Representtativeof the Union forForeign Affairs and SeccurityPolicy, regardingthe situation of WesternKurdistan refugees.In the letter written onbehalf of the EuropeanParliament, Stevensentalks about the mass immmigrationof around 220000 Syrian refugees thusfar into the Iraqi KurdisttanRegion.The MEU appreciatesthe efforts and supportoffered to the refugees bythe Kurdistan RegionalGovernment, and goes onto state that the amountof help provided by intternationalorganizationsand the Baghdad centralgovernment has beenminimal. With the arrivalof winter imminent andthe threat of humanitariiancatastrophe loomingever larger, Stevensoncalls on the EU authorittiesto work very fast tohelp these refugees.The letter concludes bystating that an officialdelegation from the EUparliament is expectedto visit the Kurdistan Reggionin November thisyear. One of the key objjectivesof the visit wouldbe to research the situattionof Syrian refugees inthe Kurdistan Region.Dilawar Azhgayee, thechairman of the representtativecommittee of theKurdistan Regional Goveernment(KRG), says theletter was sent as a resultof his committee’s meetiingwith the EU’s Unionfor Foreign Affairs andSecurity Policy and theEuropean Parliament aweek earlier.According to Azhgayeee,the KRG delegationuses the meetings to seekurgent help for the refuggees.The KRG official alsoadded that the EU Parliammenthas been officiallyinvited to visit Kurdistanto learn more about theconditions in which theSyrian refugees are liviing,and that the EU Parlliamenthas accepted theinvitation.

The Kurdish Globe No. 414, Monday, September 30, 2013 5Initial results for Kurdistanparliamentary elections releasedGLOBE PHOTO/Safin HamidAt a press conference, head of Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Sarbast Mustafa, (left) next to a seniorIHEC official (right) announces nine-five of the initial outcome of the 2013 Kurdistan legislative elections on September28, 2013 in Erbil, capital city of Kurdistan Region.The ruling party, KurdistanDemocratic Party (KDP) wona majority vote in the Septembber21 parliamentary election,according to the initial officialresults released by IHEC on Satuurdaynight.In a press conference, whichwas held in Erbil on September28, Sarbast Mustafa, head ofthe Independent High ElectoralCommittee (IHEC), announcedthe preliminary results of KurdiistanParliamentary elections.The IHEC’s preliminary tallyof the popular vote showed KDPgot 719, 004 votes and the mainopposition Change Movementlist held the second winningplace with 446,095 votes.Patriotic Union of Kurdistan(PUK) received 323, 867 votes.PUK, which was KDP’s majorpartner in the previous cabinet,placed third.The Kurdistan Islamic Union(KIU) gained 178,681 voteswhile Kurdistan Islamic Group(KIG) has come fifth with 113,260 votes.The other results were as thefollowing:- Kurdistan Islamic Movement:20, 795 votes- Kurdistan Socialist DemoccraticParty: 11, 828- Kurdistan Communist Party:11, 768- Thirst Direction: 8268 votes.More than 16 others lists thatparticipated in the electionswere not able to gain more than6000 votes.Parliamentary elections wereheld across the Kurdistan Reggionon 21 September 2013,with more than 1 000 candidatesfrom 27 political parties andindependents contested the 111seats in the Iraqi Kurdistan Parlliament.By Zakaria MuhammedJournalists humiliated during the election processNo one has been held accountable for violations against journalists, say press-freedom NGOs.Recently, Metro Center,a press freedom organizzation,announced thatit has recorded scores ofviolations against journnalistsduring the 2013elections for the Kurdiistanlegislature, askingthe Kurdistan RegionalGovernment (KRG) andthe relevant parties totake action to put an endto the violations.The Center has alreadyannounced that duringthe parliamentary electtioncampaigns, betweenAugust 28 and September19, at least 40 journaliistsfrom different mediaoutlets were harassed bysupporters of the politiccalparties and by the seccurityforces.The Center’s new statemmentmentions that 21journalists were harassedon both special and geneeralvoting days.They journalists conttactedthe Center’s viollenceregistration departmmentand filed lawsuitsagainst the violators.“At least 61 journalistsacross the Kurdistan Reggionhave been harassedor intimidated during the2013 Kurdistan legislattiveelection process,”the statement reads.The Law on Journalismin force in the KurdistanRegion is clear on thismatter: “Everyone whoharasses or abuses anyjournalist during his/herduty will be punishedwith the same law thatpunished the harassmentof a state employee duriingthe execution of his/her duty.”Reports show that securrityforces attacked journnalistsin their uniforms,while there are confirmedreports that some securritymembers changedinto plain clothes beforeattacking.According to the Centter,no one has yet beenquestioned about the reccordedharassment cases.“Some of the recordedviolations are completelyat odds with articles inthe Kurdistan JournalismLaw, and the rest can beregarded as crimes,” thestatement reads.The Center condemnedthe violations againstjournalists in the stronggestterms, and saidthat: ”The intimidationof journalists, under anysort of pretext, is unaccceptable.”It argued that the KRGand all the relevant parttiesshould prioritize theeradication of violenceEncounters between security forces and a journalist, Rahman Gharib, during a demonstration in Sulaimaniyah.against journalists, andabove all the involvemmentof the securityforces, who are supposedto protect stability, in theattacks.However, the journaliistsmaking these claimscriticize the governmment,saying it has notdone enough to raise theawareness level of thesecurity forces to avoida repetition of such acttions.Other Press freedomorganizations have alsourged a rapid reductionin the harassment ofjournalists.“The KRG Ministry ofthe Interior has shownthat it has no intention ofpunishing the membersof its security forces, andthis is a very dangeroussign for journalists in thefuture,” Niaz Abdullah,the director of the MetroCenter in Erbil, told theKurdish Globe in an earllierinterview.Jalal Majeed Farhad, areporter for the RudawMedia Network, was oneof the journalists whowas intimidated by thesecurity forces on the dayof the special vote.“A member of the seccurityforces attacked meand my technicians whilewe were busy setting upto a live broadcast. Theyseized our cameras andsound equipment underthe pretext that we usedtheir photographs in aprevious program withooutletting them know.”Metro recorded 359 vioolationsagainst journaliistsin 2011. In the firstquarter of 2012 along,some 17 cases were reccorded.According to experts,the intimidation of journnalistsposes a majorthreat to the democraticprocess in the KurdistanRegion.By Salih WaladbagiPRESS PHOTO

The Kurdish Globe No. 414, Monday, September 30, 2013 6Teams start removing elections postersLife in the Kurdistan Reggion,and especially in theKurdish capital of Erbil, isslowly returning to normalafter the polls at which theRegion witnessed amazingvoter turnout on electionday followed by a brief perriodof celebration.A joint campaign conssistingof teams from theKurdistan Regional Goveernment(KRG), the miniistriesof the Municipalittiesand of Electricity, andPeshmarga forces playedits part in the return to normmality.The teams have alrreadyremoved some of theelection campaign materialposted by candidates comppetingin the parliamentaryelections.The teams has started takiingdown banners, streameersand posters from aveenuesand major roads.However, streamers andposters are still visible insome market areas andsmaller streets in residenttialareas.The posters and electionsmaterials, which addeda lot of color as well as apowerful sense of democrracyduring the 20 daysof election campaigning,were partly torn down andvery ugly as a result.Apart from the governmmentalteams, the fans andsupporters of some politiccalparties had already beggunremoving the postersand flyers after the IraqiHigh Electoral Commisssion(IHEC) called on thevarious political partiesto remove their own camppaignposters after the electtionperiod.Some posters placed bythe political parties conttestingthe September 21elections are still plasteredon buildings, polls, walls,bins, and drywalls aroundA man collects the posters used for the 2013 Kurdistan parliamentary election campaign in the capital city of Erbil on Sepbtember.the city and have becomean eyesore.The government and theIHEC gave permission forcandidates to post electionmaterial around four weeksago on the understandingthat all the posters would beremoved within 30 days ofthe end of the campaign.“The political lists have30 days to remove theposters of their candidates.Legal action will be takenagainst any lists that fail todo so,” said Rizgar Ahmad,head of the Service Departmmentat Sulaimani Municippality.Due to the height of someof the posters and flyersposted by the political partties,their supporters arehaving to use cranes andfront loaders to remove theads.“We have removed alarge percentage of theKDP posters and flyers alrready,and there is still timeto remove more. We aretrying to get the city backto normal as quickly as wecan,” said Adnan Amjad,a Kurdistan DemocraticParty (KDP) supporter, ashe removed posters fromErbil city walls.Next to Amjad, KhalidMuhsin, a Gorran Movemmentsupporter, was remmovingGorran candidates’posters. Musin said thatGorran has always adheredto decisions made by theIHEC. “I am not sure if weremove all our posters intime, but we are doing ourbest,” he said.In addition, volunteeringteams have been formedin some places to clear thecity of posters and bannners.The Erbil EnvironmmentProtection Networkcalled on people who wantto participate voluntarily incleaning up the electionsads in the city. Many peoppleand officials from goveernmentfoundations haveresponded to their request.The Network team starteedcleaning the places thathave been intensively targgetedby political lists acccompaniedby the Governnorof Erbil, Nawzad Hadi,and representatives of theErbil Municipality departmment.University Road,where most of the collegesare located, is now almostfree of election material.The team removed manyposters, banners and flyerswithout differentiating bettweenthe posters of differeentlists.The parliamentary electtionswere held across theKurdistan Region on 21September 2013, and morethan 1 000 candidates from27 political parties and inddependentscompeted forthe 111 seats in the IraqiKurdistan Parliament.The next Kurdish parliammentis expected to amendthe Region's controversialdraft constitution. Apartfrom the KDP, major Kurdiishparties want the draft tobe amended to limit presiddentialpower and establisha clear-cut parliamentarysystem.By Zakaria MuhammedGLOBE PHOTO/Safin HamidSeminar on Kurdish languageheld in DiyarbakirUnder the motto "ProttectingKurdish languageand Culture” and underthe supervision of Kurdiishlanguage professorsand academics, the NattionalKurdish Languageseminar took place in Diyyarbakir.The main issues disccussedat the conferenceincluded the standardiizationof the Kurdishlanguage by means ofa unified alphabet, thestatus of the Kurdishlanguage, the historicalbackground to the Kurdiishlanguage, the use ofKurdish in primary andhigher education, and theestablishment of a nattionalKurdish languageinstitute to research thesocial, linguistic, politiccaland academic aspectsproblems of the Kurdishlanguage issue.Michiel Leezenberg, aprofessor at the Universsityof Amsterdam, said:"I am very happy to be apanelist at this Seminar. Ithink it is very importantthat intellectuals and lingguistscame together todiscuss the status of theKurdish language andKurdish national identity.I believe that we can impproveour studies throughan effective dialogue."Leezenberg said thatwhen he visited Diyarbakkirjust a few years ago, henoticed that people wereshy to speak in Kurdish.Returning now, he notesthat Kurds now considerit shameful not to speakin Kurdish. “That is agreat achievement for theKurdish people and a bigstep towards protectingthe Kurdish language,”he saidLeezenberg said it wasthe richness of Kurdishthat motivated him to begginhis research into thelanguage. “In the future,I aim to speak in Kurdiishjust like a Kurd,” hesaid.

The Kurdish Globe No. 414, Monday, September 30, 2013 7U.S. Consul General Opens ConsulateBooth at Erbil International FairConsul General Joseph Pennningtonopened the U.S. ConssulateGeneral's booth at theninth annual Erbil InternationalFair (EIF) on September 23,welcoming dignitaries, businnesspeople,and other visittors.Marking the ConsulateGeneral's second straight yearof participation in the EIF,which hosts the largest numbberof exhibitors among Iraqitrade shows, Consul GeneralPennington noted: “The UnitedStates welcomes this opportunnityto engage fair visitors fromthroughout Iraq and beyond onbusiness, travel, and educationaalopportunities. We are honooredto attend today’s openingof this international fair, whichdemonstrates great potential fora diversification of the marketand economy in the Iraqi KurdiistanRegion.”From September 23 to Septtember26, the ConsulateGeneral booth will be staffedby representatives of the U.S.Commercial Service, who willoffer a wide range of informattionon U.S. programs to facilittatetrade between the UnitedStates and Iraq. An educationaladvisor will also be available todiscuss opportunities for studyin the United States, and Iraqijob seekers will have the oppportunityto register on-site forthe FORAS job opportunitiesprogram, an Iraq-wide initiattivesponsored by the UnitedStates Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID).The U.S. Commercial Servviceis the trade promotionarm of the U.S. Departmentof Commerce’s InternationalTrade Administration. Locatedacross the United States and inU.S. Embassies and Consulatesin nearly 80 countries, the U.S.This Weekin HistorySeptember 26, 1996- The third cabinet of theKurdistan Regional Governmment,headed by Prime MiniisterRozh Nouri Shawais,was formed on September26, 1996.- The President of theKurdistan Region, MasoudBarzani, received the TurkiishMinister of the Interiorin Erbil on September 26,2010.Kurdistan Basketball league kicks offOnly four teams in this season’s Kurdistan Basketball leagueThis season’s Kurdistan Women’sBasketball League has seen a bigreduction in the number of partticipatingteams. This is despitethe level of women’s basketballhaving risen to an unprecedentedlevel in recent years.The increased number of womeenplayers in former years playeda significant role in the establishmmentof several strong teams.Many clubs formed female baskketballteams. Unfortunately, itlooks as though the situation hasgone into reverse this year, asthe number of female basketballplayers decreases along with thenumber of female teams.From six teams last year, onlyfour teams will be contesting thelocal league this year.The reduction can be attributedto many reasons. According toDler Ahmad, a member of theKurdistan Basketball Association(KBA), most clubs now comppletelyignore basketball, as theypay more attentions to football.“The clubs’ management boardshave no love for basketball anymmore;the only game they thinkA Turkish member of parliamment,from ruling AKP, saysthe Kurdish cause cannot beresolved until the Turkish goveernmentprovides education inKurdish mother tongue.Elective minority languagecourses, including Kurdish,are now offered in the publicschools.As announcement of the demmocracypackage by TurkishPrime Minister, Recep TayyipErdogan, is underway everypolitical party in the countryThis Picture depicts New Sirwan women Basketball team.about is football,” said AhmadWhen asked why the clubs ignnorethe game, Ahmad answered“Participating in leagues andcompetitions needs money andthe clubs claim they haven’tgot enough money to cover theteams’ costs.”Clubs in the Kurdistan Regionare partly funded by the KRGthrough the Ministry of Youthand Culture. The budget allocateedto the clubs is supposed to beinterprets the package in a diffferentway. They are calling onthe government to further openits policy toward the Kurds.Ghalib Ansariuglo, AKP MPin Diarbakir, says that, “educattionin Kurdish and redefinittionof being a Turkish citizenare two serious articles of thepackage.” He added that thepackage will not be succeedingwithout implementing thosearticles.Ansariuglo says that if educattionin native language won’tspent equally on all teams. Howeever,many clubs use their budggetfor promoting football teamsat the expense of volleyball andbasketball.This year’s Kurdistan basketbballleague kicked off on Septtember25 and the participatingteams include last year’s champpions,Sanharib, Akad, Sulaimaaniyaand New Sirwan.Two matches ran in the firstweek of the league, with thebe guaranteed, the Kurdishcause remains unresolved. Inaddition, he said if the Turkiishstate wants to find a soluttionfor the Kurdish question,it should guarantee educationin Kurdish in all the publicschools.In a recent remark, PM Erddogansaid that he stronglydisagree the demand. It meansany sorts of negotiations overthe issue as part of the packageor constitutional reforms proccesscould be chaotic.PRESS PHOTOAkad girls emerging victoriousagainst Sulaimaniya, 61-41.In the second match, which washeld in Sulaimaniya city, NewSirwan defeated Sanharib 62-52.After the match, New Sirwanteam coach, Rizgar Rauf, said“In 2009, we lost to Sanharib by60 points. At that time we hadseveral young players and peoplewere making fun of their level,but now the young players havegrown and are playing wonderffully.Defeating Sanharib meansa lot, since Sanharib were lastyear’s champions.”Rauf hoped his team will conttinueto perform well and achievetheir dream: winning the Kurdisttanleague title.Based in the Gry Basy quarterof Duhok, Sanharib sports clubwas founded in 1992. The clubhas several teams, but basketballis their strongest.The managerial board of theclub is made up of 8 memberswith 6 teams for men and 8 forwomen.Kurds in Turkey call on government toprovide mother tongue education“PM Erdogan says official language is Turkish in Turkey.” PM Erdogan“The official language in Turkkeyis Turkish,” PM Erdogansaid, adding that, “There is notsuch a demand or right as educcationin mother tongue.”“We have decided to openKurdish language departmentin universities.” The Turkishstate does not let the Kurdishstudents to study their mothertongue but they are allowed tostudy their language for twohours per week.By Salih WaladbagiSeptember 27, 2005- King Abdullah of Jordanreceived KRG Prime Miniister,Nechirvan Barzani, inAmman on September 27,2005.September 28, 1963- The Iraqi Kurdistan VoiceRadio Station was establlishedon September 28,1963.- President Nasser of Egyptwas assassinated on Septtember28, 1970.September 29, 2005The Kurdistan FootballTeam left Kurdistan on Septtember29, 2005 to play twofriendly matches againsttwo Korean clubs.September 30, 1922- The Kurdish leader, SheikhMahmud Hafid, returned toKurdistan, and Sulaimaniya,on September 30 1922 afterseveral years abroad.- The President of the KurdiistanRegion, Masoud Barzzani,received KRG PrimeMinister Barham Salih, andhis deputy, Azad Barwari,to form the sixth cabinet ofthe KRG on September 30,2009.October 1, 1998The US government posteda $2.2 million reward for thecapture of Augustin VasquezMendoza on October 1,1998. He is accused of killiingan undercover US agentduring a drug purchase in1994.October 2, 1998About 10 000 Turkish solddierscrossed into northernIraq and attacked Kurdishfighters on October 2, 1998.

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUNERBILWEATHERFORECAST351636163719371836173611329EqualityThe Role of the Yazidis in theparliamentary electionsBy Salam AbdullahIn previous columns, I saidthat every list and politiccalparty can run electoralcampaigns for themselvesand their lists, providingthey consider two mainpoints: campaigns shouldbe in peaceful and civillized,and campaignsshould not be based on liesand deception. They mustnot mislead voters.It comes as something of asurprise, then, that a canddidatefrom the IslamicGroup (Komal) list says heworks for equality! Equaliity?Can this candidate goagainst his religion? Beccausethe Islamic Shariasays, for example, that twofemale witnesses equalone male witness. Canthis gentleman go againstthis unchangeable law anddefend women’s rightsas equal to men’s? Doeshis party accept this fromhim? There are two posssibleexplanations here:either he is soliciting votesby saying anything thatcomes into his mind, or heis a secular man who misttakenlyjoined the group.Of course, he might justbe after one of those largeparliamentary salaries,but is it worth betrayinghis ideology, and the ideoloogyof his Party, as well asbreaking Sharia law to getit? Doesn’t this candidateremember what the leaderof the Islamic Group hadto say a while back abouthaving males and femalesin schools. If he doesn’t,let me remind our Musllimfriend that his Amirclaimed that mixing malesand females and makingthem study together in oneschool is not permitted. Hecalled it dangerous.An old woman who cast her vote on election day.In the four parts of Kurdistan,fifty million Kurds built upgreat hopes of building a bettterKurdistan in the parliamenttaryelections that took place inthe Iraqi Kurdistan region onSaturday. The approximately3 million eligible voters votedfor one of the 31 political enttitiescompeting for seats inthe 111-seat parliament seats,with 100 of the seats being desscribedas general and 11 beingallocated to representatives ofreligious and ethnic minoritiesin the region. The Yazidi Kurdsplayed an important role in theparliamentary elections, with16 000 votes cast in all: 12 000within Kurdistan and another4 000 outside the region. TheYazidis voted into parliamentwill serve as representativesfor their people and help enaactlaws, many of which willconcern Yazidi issues—primariilytheir personal status. TheYazidis have expressed theirhappiness at being able to votefor their representatives in theKurdistan parliament. ShekhShamo, an election candidatefor the parliamentary election,urged Yazidis to participate andcast their votes—primarily forthe development of Kurdistan,and secondly to have a repressentativein parliament. Shamoadded that he had worked hardto explain the goals he aims toserve for the Yazidis and for abetter Kurdistan. He added thathe hoped every Yazidi wouldparticipate in this elections—ifthey did, the situation wouldchange and we would be alllocatedmore than ten seatsin line with Article 140 of theIraqi constitution. According tosome sources, Shamo receivedbetween 8 500 and 9 500 votes;Ali Yazdin, another Yazidi canddidatefrom the Yakati list, gotbetween 1 500 and 2 000 votes.Haveen Mustafa, a Yazidi voter,expressed her happiness at castiingher vote to a Yazidi nominnee:“I am very happy to havenominees representing Yazidisin Kurdistan's parliament; it isthe duty of every Yazidi whois eligible to cast their vote inthis election”. “It’s very importtant,too, to have someone conccernedabout us in parliament,”added Mustafa. Another youngman who wished to remainanonymous said: “We went entthusiasticallyto the ballot boxto cast our votes to serve ournominees; later they will serveus”. Having Yazidi representattivesin the Kurdistan parliammentis a step toward progressand coexistence in the region—things every Yazidi wants.PHOTO/Thamer Alyas