April 18, 2023

“Kirkuk, for me, is the joy of all cities combined. While serving in the military in the south of the country, I counted the days until I returned to my city. My friends were taking off days because of illnesses and funerals in the family. However, mine was only to return sooner to Kirkuk. Some even jokingly said, “You’ve made Kirkuk sound like Paris to us.” The diverse nationalities in this city have fostered a culture of coexistence among its people. I have childhood Turkmen and Arab friends, just like my Kurdish friends; we share a bond of love and trust despite our different backgrounds.”