Kurdish referendum fervor as bright in diaspora as Kurdistan

LONDON, United Kingdom (Kurdistan 24) – As Kurds eagerly await the historic independence referendum, the Kurds in the diaspora are making their case heard through rallies in several countries including the United Kingdom.

In the past few decades, hundreds of thousands of Kurds have resettled across the West. While some have gone by choice, many were forced to escape the systematic persecution under Iraqi rule.

To compound matters, without a state of their own, it was easy to become pigeon-holed under the shadows of their country of origin.

Even as one of the oldest nations in the world, Kurds would painstakingly explain where Kurdistan was located and why it was forcibly divided by imperial powers.

The Kurdish story has come leaps and bounds since the days of genocide and repression in Iraq.

Nevertheless, a lack of state always put Kurds in somewhat of an inferior position compared to Turks, Iranians, and Arabs in the West.

The independence referendum is a monumental moment in Kurdistan, but the significance of this national milestone is not any less for the Kurds residing in countries such as the UK.

Kurds traveled from across the UK to London in support of a recent rally on the independence referendum that is set to transform the plight of Kurds back home and across the globe.

It is a chance to rewrite the wrongs of history and put the Kurds on the map—literally.

For Havraz Hassan, who works in the oil and gas industry, potential statehood “means our nation will firstly be safe because we will have a voice in the United Nations whenever we are threatened and oppressed.

“Also, there will never again be a Kurdish genocide, as well as eventual economic and strategic benefits for future generations,” he noted.

Hassan was keen to point out independence meant Kurds would not have the stigma of being part of a violent and unstable Iraq and would gain more respect on the international stage with prospects of increased travel.

According to Raz Jabary, a Management Consultant, “The independence vote culminating in potential statehood is as much an expression of identity to me as it is a way to participate in deciding on my birth nation’s future in a democratic manner.”

“Voting is important in paving the way for upcoming generations to live in a beacon of peace and stability in a region that has traditionally been plagued by grave injustices,” Jabary added.

Jabary sees the vote as “a duty to the many previous generations of voiceless Kurds who struggled and suffered under the severest of circumstances to get to where we are as a nation today.”

Sardar Yassin, a civil engineer who has been living in the UK for over 38 years, said the referendum was “a major turning point in the history of our nation.”

However, Yassin expressed apprehension of any future state without political and economic reform and less bureaucracy from ruling parties.

Yassin, who stressed the importance of unity and not being manipulated by neighboring parties for their short-term gains, warned that “our history has always been in a state of internal rivalry and narrow-minded political thinking which gives justification to a lot of outsiders that we don’t deserve nationhood.”

“However, now is the golden opportunity for the Kurds to showcase that they merit a state of their own,” he continued.

Sondos Ismaeel, Investor Relations for a Hedge Fund, stated the upcoming referendum “means as much to me as if I’d been living in Kurdistan. I am as patriotic as any other individual. My background and heritage will always play a significant part, regardless of where I live.”

On what statehood will change for Kurds, she added, “Having my own country will finally allow me to express my identity freely and be proud.”

“Hopefully having our own country will make people understand our culture and take more interest in who we are; that we have a rich history and potential to do amazing things,” Ismaeel said.

Gulnaz Rahman, who works in the retail industry, echoed the view of many other Kurds in the UK.

“Independence for Kurdistan will make me and the Kurds in London and across Western cities feel proud that we are from an official state called Kurdistan so that we do not need to explain our nationality for those living in London and elsewhere.”

Rahman expressed hope that statehood should ultimately provide “a great platform to provide a better standard of living for people who live in Kurdistan.”

Awara Tagarani, a Solar Engineer, stated, “As a Kurd living in [the] UK, this has benefited my family with provision of a good life, but I yearn for [a] better era for Kurdistan so that I can return to my homeland someday.”

“I hope international recognition for us Kurds will lead to economic growth,” Tagarani said. “For example, through increased oil exports.”

As rallies have shown in major Western cities, statehood holds tremendous importance for Kurds no matter where they reside. Their residency may have changed, but their hearts remain firmly attached to their heritage and nationality.

The colorful and vibrant rallies in Kurdistan, Europe and beyond should dampen any doubt that Kurds are not deserving of their own country.

After waiting decades for this historic moment, Kurds are intent to seize the opportunity with both hands, wherever they may be.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany