My Recent Visit to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

I am an Iraqi who takes great pride in my country, and I wish it stability, security, safety, development, progress, and prosperity. And I pray that God grants its people a national leadership that will lead it to safety.

What is mentioned above can be found in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, specifically in the areas I visited in Erbil and Duhok, and it may also apply to Sulaymani.

What led me to this realization was that when you visit Erbil, will find good and classy treatment., starting from the airport and in every place I interacted with. I needed to go to the notary in the Ankawa area of Erbil to issue a special power of attorney, and my first interaction was with the respectable manager, Ms. Viyan Mohammed Sadiq, who treated me with utmost politeness and professionalism. She asked me to go to the notary to prepare the required draft. Out of curiosity, I attempted to offer her a small amount of money as a token of appreciation, but she refused and said it is forbidden to take anything from clients, and pointed out that there are surveillance cameras.

This incident made me think about the rest of Iraq, which has been corroded by corruption, bribery, and the theft of public funds.

When I was forced by circumstance to return to Doha by land Due to the shutdown of airports in Iraq, I took the land route through Erbil–Duhok–Zakho. What did I find? Architectural development and distinguished infrastructure. What pleased me even more was seeing the province of Duhok after forty years. Its beauty delighted me, I stayed there for two days, and I decided to visit it again soon to enjoy the beauty of its nature and The kindness of its residents.

Zakho, Its People, and Its Sport Club

A friend I met on the plane before this trip, from Zakho, named Alnad Ahmed Mohammed, invited me to visit the city and Due to my circumstances, I contacted him and told him I was coming to Duhok. When I arrived at the hotel, I found him there, having come from Zakho to Duhok, and he spared no effort in hosting me.

The next day, he sent a private car to take me from Duhok to Zakho, and it was a beautiful and special invitation to the Montana Restaurant located in New Zakho. The kind and distinguished player Amjad Attwan, captain of Zakho Football Club which achieved third place in the Iraqi league, which is in itself an accomplishment attended the gathering. Afterwards, there was an invitation for a cup of coffee at the house of Sheikh Rashid Agha, who, along with his family, welcomed me with generous hospitality.

On the following morning, this loyal friend provided me with a private car to go by land to Turkey. At the Iraqi-Turkish border, I found refined treatment, fast processing, and no delays. One of the border policemen offered us assistance to facilitate the process. I decided to reward him, but the driver stopped me and said it was forbidden and could cause him trouble. I said the area is open and no one is watching him. He replied that his conscience and patriotism prevents him. (bearing in mind that these border policemen do not receive their salaries except after six months due to Baghdad’s obstinacy.)

That is why my love for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq increased — for its leadership and its people, foremost among them the great leader President Masoud Barzani, who built a region we take pride in and remember, alongside  its people, with all goodness.