ABOUT NOTHERN IRAQ (KURDISTAN)

Northern Iraq is a semi-autonomous region of 3.5 million people mostly Kurds, as well as Christians (Assyrians and Chaldeans), Turkmen and Arabs.

These people from different ethnic backgrounds live peacefully alongside each other in the same towns and cities. Many, especially the Kurds, were brutally suppressed by former president Saddam Hussein. The establishment of the Kurdistan Region dates back to the March 1970 autonomy agreement between the Kurdish opposition and the Iraqi government after years of heavy fighting. However, during the 1991 uprising of Kurds in the north and Shia Arabs in the south against Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Kurdistan's military forces (the Peshmerga) succeeded in pushing out the main Iraqi forces from the north and created the basis for Kurdish self-rule. Kurdistan was once again plunged into violence in 2014 with the spread of ISIS in the region. The Peshmerga forces defeated ISIS in 2017 and retook the Kurdish cities they occupied. At present, the situation has stabilized and Erbil, and the areas north of it, are safe or tourists.

Some key tourist sites include:

Mar Behnam Monastery: During the 4th Century CE, King Senchareb of Nineveh commissioned the building of this monastery as an act of atonement for having killed his son, Behnam, and daughter Sarah for converting to Christianity. Behnam, was eventually sanctified, hence the title Mar, a title of sainthood in the Assyrian language. He and Sarah’s bodies were buried in a crypt at the monastery. The site quickly became a beacon for Christian pilgrims throughout the region.

Bahdinan Gate: This beautiful arched gate is all that remains of the fortress the ancient mountaintop town of Amadiya once was. It is estimated that there was a stable settlement at this site thousands of years ago, part of the Assyrian Empire. It is also said to be the birthplace of the Three Wise Men, the Biblical Magi

Lalish Temple: The village of Lalish dates back thousands of years, and it is believed the temple was first used by the ancient Sumerians and other early Mesopotamian civilizations. Most Yazidi followers make a pilgrimage to the small mountain village at least once in their lives. Yazidis believe in one God, who brought the world into being and then handed it over to the care of seven angels.

Youth in Northern Iraq love sport, especially football, even though many don't have access to proper facilities or equipment. Most play football on bare patches of dirt. Very few schools have pitches, let alone gyms, tennis courts or sports equipment.

To donate money, go to the Darashakran Run Club Just Giving Page or the Peshmerga Park Tennis Team Just Giving Page or contact Adrian Brune at ambrune@gmail.com for a donation of lightly used running shoes, clothes and other gear.