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Kurdistan: The Revival of Erbil
24.4.2008
By Maad Fayad
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April 24, 2008
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', -- The
population of Erbil and the rest of the Kurds who
live in Iraqi Kurdistan prefer to use the historical
name ‘Lir’ in reference to the Kurdistan region’s
capital, Erbil, as an homage to the history of the
region, which predates back to over 6,000 years.
This history bears testimony to the fact that the
Kurds, as a nation, settled in northern Mesopotamia
thousands of years ago and that they are not
foreigners to this region.
Erbil, or Hewler, [in the Kurdish language] boasts
natural beauty as it is home to evergreen valleys
and mountains with snow-capped peaks, in addition to
spectacular waterfalls that gush out of mountain
rocks. The Zab River runs close to the center of the
city descending between mountainous passageways,
creating an unforgettable landscape.
Erbil International Airport receives guests from all
over of the world. Upon arrival to the airport, one
can clearly see that Erbil international, which is
considered one of the largest airports in the
region, is a new construction. One would also notice
the colorful flag of Kurdistan with the golden sun
in the center heralding a bright future, and the
friendly Kurdish women at the airport who welcome
visitors to their city.
Despite being one of the oldest inhabited cities in
the world, Erbil is witnessing a lot of construction
work; modern buildings, luxurious palaces and
glass-front offices, in addition to trade centers.
AFP reports that in central Erbil, high-rise
buildings are under construction on the site of what
was once a cemetery. A tall concrete tower rises
near Erbil's international airport. A 22-storey
luxury hotel will be the tallest in the whole of
northern Iraq's Kurdistan region. Dozens of other
hotels are also under construction, with some
promising five-star "dream rooms" to clients.
Large billboards announcing new housing projects
such as Dream City, British Village and Royal City
have sprung up across the city. The project to build
a race track is also underway. These complexes that
resemble buildings one would imagine in California
are being constructed on land that was once used as
a base and headquarters for the [Iraqi] V Corps that
killed a large number of Kurds under the former
regime. A large area has been transformed into a
park named after the martyr Sami Abdul Rahman.
From the ancient citadel in the center of Erbil, the
view is eclectic as old minarets share a skyline
with a jumble of unfinished concrete towers, tall
cranes and relay towers belonging to cellular phone
companies.
The citadel is situated in the center of the city;
or rather the new city of Erbil has been built
around the citadel that has been here for over 6,000
years. The word ‘Erbil’ used to refer to the citadel
alone, which stands on a high plateau and is
surrounded by a wall that protects it from invaders.
But what makes this citadel unique is the fact that
it is still inhabited. The United Nations
Educational, Scientific,www.ekurd.net
and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) recently announced the
beginning of the restoration process of the Erbil
citadel. Boasting one of the most ancient histories
in the world; the citadel has been ruled by
Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Islamic
civilizations. During the Ottoman era, the citadel
was divided into three areas: Atakaya, Tubkhana and
Sarai.
UNESCO’s director in Iraq Mohamed Jaleed said,
“UNESCO is acting to protect the existing monuments
in the Kurdistan region by taking on a number of
projects, preparing cadres and launching an
educational television channel.”
During a joint press conference with the Kurdistan
Region’s Minister of Tourism Nimrud Baito Yokhana,
Minister of Culture Falakaddin Kakeyi and the
governor of Erbil Nawzad Hadi, Jaleed stated that
UNESCO has decided to open an office in the region
and that its first project will be Erbil’s citadel,
restoring water to its aqueducts, training cadres to
protect industries and providing assistance to
museums.
Mohammed Jaleed stressed that Kurdistan would be
included in every project undertaken by UNESCO in
Iraq, especially with respect to the field of
education.
The inhabitants of the citadel used to obtain water
supplies through the watercourse at Bastura (about
five kilometers north of Erbil), traces of which are
still present in many areas.
Jaleed stated that UNESCO and the Kurdish Regional
Government (KRG) have made a number of decisions
regarding the monuments that are present in
Kurdistan, “there are over 300 sites. We work in
cooperation with the concerned ministries to protect
them.”
Furthermore, he highlighted “the importance of
renovating the Erbil citadel,www.ekurd.net
the first stage of which
is to take rapid and necessary action and to look
into the current problems and the level of finance
that we require. This stage will continue for six to
eight months.”
“Kurdish cadres will be trained in the preservation
of monuments. We have begun working and have signed
an agreement with the KRG to restore the citadel,”
added Jaleed.
For his part, the Minister of Tourism Nimrud Baito
Yokhana said, “The Kurdistan Regional Government
took the initiative and asked UNESCO to help in
restoring the Erbil citadel and to classify
archeological sites in Kurdistan as part of
international and human heritage,” indicating that
the Erbil citadel as well as the history of the
region are tourist attractions.
The Kurdish Minister of Culture, Falakaddin Kakeyi
highlighted that “Cooperation with UNESCO will take
place on various levels, most notably the
recognition of the entity of Kurdish culture.” He
added, “We have discussed the idea of launching a
television channel in Kurdistan.”
The KRG has allocated residential land and financial
grants to be distributed amongst the citadel’s
residents as compensation in return for leaving the
citadel so that it could become a historical and
tourist attraction. Besides, the majority of houses
within the citadel are old and unsuitable for
living.
The KRG welcomes local, Arab and Western investors,
including Turks, Lebanese and mostly Saudis by
encouraging the private sector to transform
Kurdistan into a “gateway to Iraq for businessmen.”
The region of Kurdistan in reality, if not
officially, is independent as part of a country in
which chaos is prevailing. In light of the
remarkable boom, officials are awaiting the profits
of oil production that has witnessed an expansion,
in addition to aiming to produce approximately
100,000 barrels per day.
Those in charge of regional affairs seek to portray
the region as “an oasis of safety and stability”
where approximately four million people live.
The Kurdish Peshmerga forces, along with other
security forces, uphold the mission of protecting
the region.
The authorities say they have formed a dynamic
parliamentary democracy where fundamental rights are
guaranteed, including those of minorities, such as
Christians who have sought refuge there after
fleeing the more volatile areas of Iraq.
Other tourist attractions near Erbil that have yet
to obtain investments include the Gali Ali Bag and
Bekhal waterfalls. The city is also surrounded by
picturesque Kurdish villages built on mountain
peaks.
Copyright, respective author or news agency, aawsat
com
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