Redwan Adalat - Humans of Kurdistan

“My brother has been a florist preparing flowers for events for a while now. When I decided to start working, it was because of him that I chose this. It is a great job; all kinds of people visit us. I have often felt society’s bad psychological state while preparing flowers in that we are facing depression in many aspects. But I see hope with every flower bouquet I prepare and I see people trying to be happy.There are many events, people request flowers for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversaries, or Valentine’s Day. All the days have their uniqueness. I remember one day we were preparing a very special bouquet for a groom, but he was very anxious and was in a hurry. When we prepared the bouquet, he was so happy that he forgot the flowers.I don’t feel at ease only when I am preparing a bouquet for people who take it to their dear one’s graves!” ...

Sep 16 2020

September 16, 2020

in Humans of East

“God did not give us a child, and when God does not give, we cannot do anything about it. I have been married for 45 years and we have been living happily with my wife. However, we never experienced the feeling of having a child together. I am now old, I’m seventy seven years old, I can’t do any labor work anymore and that is why for about 3 years I have been working for someone taking care of their hand made bee hives. I work all month but three days for a low salary. My wife has several diseases and is now resting at home, sometimes she gets up and gets some work done. Despite all of this, as long as I am able to work, I am happy to stay like this. I have been stung by the bees many times, it is not an easy job to do and it is in fact very sensitive work. I don't really know that much about it but the owner knows a lot more.” ...

Sep 15 2020

September 15, 2020

in Humans of North

“I am Muhammed, I work as a photographer in Amed. I started this job at an early age. I took my first photo in 1970, which was my wife’s. In 1974 it was published in Ankara’s magazine. I started working as a journalist in 1976. Since that year and until 1992, I continued as a journalist and photographer and worked with many of the Turkish newspapers and agencies. After 1992, I had no choice but to leave my job. After that, I got busy with culture and arts research, some of which were published in several newspapers. In these last 10 years, I have started painting as well.” “In 2017, the World Arts Federation identified me as a photographer and in 2018, they awarded me the arts prize as an artist. So far, I have been chosen by 20 photography organizations from different countries as an honorary member. I take photos of historical places and nature and I am now working on the Kurdish artists’ portraits. So far, I have taken pictures of 200 Kurdish artists in Duhok, Sulaimani, Rania, and Hawler. I have opened 5 photography exhibitions in southern Kurdistan, two in Amedi and 12 in Batman, Urfa, and the USA.” ...

Sep 14 2020

September 14, 2020

“When ISIS invaded Mosul, all of our lives were in danger. Since our village was so close to the center of the city, we were also in danger. We were forced to leave our house and belongings and head to Hawler. A lot of people in Hawler appreciate us and respect us, but it is undeniable that no place compares to home. I really miss my village's evenings, and I really miss my friends. I hope one day we can go back to our own place and begin my education again. It's true that we are safe here, but the conditions are not ideal as well. My father and I are shepherds in someone else's farm, and the money is much less compared to our efforts. I truly wish we could pass this difficult time and get back to how we used to be.” ...

Sep 14 2020

September 14, 2020

in Humans of West

“I have been inspired by Dr. Nawal Saadawi's ideas who is one of the brilliant activists of Egypt, she writes about Feminism and women's rights in the society. She was the reason that I started studying in Jinology in Rojava University, and I'm currently studying there. The field I'm studying in is not so familiar with most people, but I'm very proud that I study there.Jinology college is a new concept and is formed from Abdulla Ojalan's ideas. We have a lot of activists that fight for women's right in Rojawa. It is really difficult to study in a field that a lot of people are nor informed about. Many students just want to study medicine or engineering or something more obvious, but the field of study I have chosen is not familiar to the society. Even a lot of my friends and family didn't like my decision, but I was adamant about my choice and I want to be an activist in the future.” ...

Sep 13 2020

September 13, 2020

“I have studied accounting at the Shekhan Institute, but I would like to talk about how my love for art started. I have always loved painting and sketching, and everything started from the first grade of school when I knew I had a talent that I need to improve. Ever since, I have been improving my skills day by day, year by year. I was trying to paint the things I see around me. Of course, at the beginning my paintings weren't so good, but what is mostly important is that you are confident in what you do so that you are proud of your work in the future. You see, now I have developed my skills and nothing can stop me from doing what I love. Do what you want to do in life, and love the things that you do.” ...

Sep 13 2020

September 13, 2020

“I decided to study in the Institute of Fine Arts and continue working on my art, but I was going to have to leave my parents and live in the dormitories, which was difficult for me. I stayed in the dormitories for 5 years all while my parents were always in my mind. I was the youngest kid in the house and very close to my parents. When I finished studying in the Institute I graduated with good grades and was able to continue studying in College. I was struggling financially and my mother was ill. I really wanted to work to support my mother so after just 1 year in college I found a job and was hired. I immediately left college and started working so I can have some money as soon as possible to give it to my mother. At the time, I had to work for three months until I got my first paycheck. Unfortunately, my mother passed away before I received any money. I was very behind for my studies, but after three 3 I returned to college and graduated, and also got married.” ...

Sep 12 2020

September 12, 2020

in Humans of East

“I've always had the desire to learn English, even as a kid. I was really interested in what people were saying while speaking English. My English was improving so I was eager to grow up and study English in college. I taught English in schools in Sna city for a long while. Learning a new language made me familiar with another part of the world's vocabulary and it made my eyes more open to the world. Back then, if I had the same mentality I have right now, I would study something else with the English language. Even though it had many benefits for me, yet I regret only studying English.I have always wanted to be alone and I really am. However, in the last few years I started reading some self-help books about knowing yourself, and those books made me more social. I am much more outgoing now, and I really like gatherings, I even want to go out to see the world and meet new people.” ...

Sep 12 2020

September 12, 2020

“In 1996, some travelers from Eastern Kurdistan got in an accident. One of them fell and drowned in the water and they couldn’t find his body. The water coming from Eastern Kurdistan to Southern Kurdistan had brought the body to Dukan and some people found him. But because there were no mobiles and stuff, they buried him by the water and put a big rock so it would not get lost. After 8 years, word reached the family and they came here to look for him. I was fishing with some friends that day. They asked us about it and I knew the place and took them to the grave. I helped them take him back to their region. It might sound simple, but I will never forget that day.” ...

Sep 11 2020

September 11, 2020

in Humans of East

“Now that I am a grown up, I always look back and wish that I could visit my childhood's dreams and fantasies. When I was a kid, I really wanted to be able to ride the bicycle, but we had a tricycle that my older sister used to ride a lot. I was never able to learn to ride a bicycle because I was growing up and my community wouldn't allow it at the time. Today, at the age of twenty-eight I still have that desire deep in my heart. It has been about a month now that I can ride a bike, but it cannot compensate the fact that I couldn't ride one as a child. Once our desires die down, they can never be fulfilled. I really wish I could go back to my childhood and play hide and seek with my friends with a blink of an eye and never see these days.” ...

Sep 11 2020

September 11, 2020