We Must Protect the Achievements of the Kurdistan Region Like Warsaw

This year, my family and I had the opportunity to travel to Poland. Our journey began at Erbil International Airport, then continued through Antalya Airport before arriving at Warsaw Airport. While waiting at Antalya Airport, we met several Polish families. During this first encounter, I observed that the country we were heading to has a well-educated and intellectual generation. Most of the children in the terminal were reading books, and it was clear that Polish fathers encourage their children to read rather than rely on mobile phones for entertainment. Health experts agree that this is a healthy educational approach for children and young people in any society.

When we landed at Warsaw Airport and passed through passport control, we noticed that the staff treated guests with great respect, especially families with small children.

On our first day in Warsaw, we realized that the city is environmentally friendly. The towering trees and the cleanliness of the streets made the city even more beautiful.

The people of Warsaw, and indeed other Polish cities, are hospitable. When we took a taxi to visit a tourist destination, the driver asked us where we were from. When we said, "Iraqi Kurdistan," he responded with a wealth of knowledge about our region, saying, “We have a shared history.” His words showed me that the people of Poland are not only well-versed in their own country’s history but have also learned about other nations that, like Poland, have faced oppression.

Warsaw is developing in every aspect, day by day. According to international tourism surveys, Poland is now considered one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Millions of tourists from around the globe visit the country each year.

Poles have not forgotten their history; they are deeply proud of their past and have preserved their culture. Poland is home to numerous museums and historical sites, including:

- The Polish Army Museum

- Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

- Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau

Though Polish universities are currently ranked among the best globally, there was a time when many Poles had to go abroad for education. Today, those who studied abroad have returned with advanced degrees and are contributing significantly to the development of their country.

Traveling to Poland and learning about its history and current progress, one can understand that with love and dedication, no obstacle is too great for a country's advancement. Warsaw in the 1940s is a stark contrast to the prosperous, modern city it is today. This transformation shows that with love for your country, you can improve and beautify it.

Although the Kurdish population in Poland is small compared to other European countries, the ties between Poles and Kurds are strong. High-level Polish officials have visited the Kurdistan Region several times. In the 1970s and 1980s, a number of Kurdish citizens moved to Poland. Today, many of these Kurds have become prominent figures in the country, contributing to its economy and culture. Some of them have made significant investments in Poland, participating in the beautification and revitalization of cities. Notably, some of Poland’s major annual art festivals are sponsored by Kurdish investors. One of these investors is Ziad Rauf, the current representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Poland.

We must all strengthen our attachment to our homeland and defend our values and freedoms, just as the people of Poland have done for their country. We should take pride in our Peshmerga, our nation, and our achievements. Especially in the current situation in Kurdistan, with His Excellency Masrour Barzani as the Prime Minister, we must support our government, protect its achievements, implement its recommendations, and follow the guidance of our Prime Minister to ensure peace and prosperity continue to prevail.