24/04/2025
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24/04/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, April 24: Iraqi Youth Ambassador Fahad Al-Zibari has affirmed that Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations will remain strong and will not be undermined by the attempts of a few to inflame emotions between the two nations. He said the Iraqi people were surprised by the extent of the Kuwaitis’ love and hospitality for their Iraqi brothers, especially when they welcomed Iraqi fans to Kuwait during the match between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti national teams late last year.
In an exclusive interview with the newspaper on the sidelines of his meeting with Dean of Kuwaiti journalism and Editor-in-Chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah, Al-Zibari asserted that “the true image of the Kuwaiti people has not been presented in the media as desired, but I have found all the love from them.” Regarding the components of the Iraqi people, he stressed that Iraq is a united nation of Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. He said the number of Iraqi Kurds has reached around six million and they enjoy full rights to government jobs. Following are excerpts of the interview:
Question: First, tell us about your impressions of the Kuwaiti visit.
Answer: This is my third visit to Kuwait. Frankly, I have the utmost appreciation and respect for Kuwait. Its people are among the most welcoming and hospitable. This was evident when Iraqi fans came to Kuwait to watch the match between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti national teams at the end of last year. Although I do not represent sports, as a social worker, I observed how the Kuwaiti people welcomed their Iraqi brothers despite the atmosphere of tension that preceded the match from a very small group of parties who do not represent the Iraqi people. This is especially true given the strong and historic Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations. Some of the incidents that occurred will not be repeated and will not diminish the intensity of the love between the Kuwaiti and Iraqi peoples.
Q: What is the reason behind the tension instigated by a small group in Iraq?
A: Because the true image of the Kuwaiti people has not been portrayed in the media as desired, I have found love from the Kuwaiti people. What connects me to Kuwait is my love for Kuwait and the Kuwaitis alone, and there are no personal interests.
Q: How many Kurds are there in Iraq?
A: Around five to six million.
Q: Are Kurds welcome in all jobs, or are there some aspects that bother you?
A: Yes, we have a stake. We participate in all government agencies and the Iraqi Army, which consists of many Kurds. There are also Kurdish security leaders.
Q: To what extent does the Iraqi Council of Ministers cover all components of the Iraqi people? What is the Kurdish share in this?
A: Yes, the Iraqi Council of Ministers covers all components of the Iraqi people. The President of Iraq is Kurdish, the Prime Minister, as executive authority, is Shiite, and the Speaker of Parliament is Sunni. This confirms that the Iraqi people are a melting pot and a single unit. Personally, I view Iraq as a single people, and I am not concerned with any affiliation. What matters to me is the Iraqi person and the loyalty they hold within them to Iraq first. Their affiliations come after that, whether Kurdish, Shiite or Sunni. However, these affiliations should not overshadow their love for the country, because those who do not protect their country will not protect their affiliations.
Q: What about your message, which you believe in as an ambassador for Iraqi youth?
A: I aim to spread peace and love and strive to unite hearts. This stems from Islam.
Q: Iraq has suffered from fragmentation and conflict over sectarian identity in the past. Is it currently on the right path?
A: We are moving toward a new Iraq, powered by the energy of its youth, through figures who love Iraq, and through visionaries with a long history represented by the wise leadership. Frankly, the Iraqi people, after the previous conflict and fragmentation, have learned their lesson well. Everyone is now striving for full integration and to foster brotherhood among all citizens -- whether Kurdish, Sunni or Shiite, as well as other components.
Q: What about the external actors seeking to sow discord among the components of the Iraqi people?
A: External actors must not seek to incite discord among the components of the Iraqi people. We hope that love and harmony will prevail among the internal and external components, but within a framework of mutual respect; hence, no external actor should interfere in the fraternal relations among the people of one nation. As for the State, it views relations with other countries according to the concept of economic and other interests. Thus, other countries seek rapprochement with Iraq because of its important strategic location, in addition to the fact that Iraq is a historical civilization dating back to time immemorial and has a powerful people with determination and resolve. Without this, Iraq would have collapsed. But, by the grace of Almighty Allah, the people always renew themselves and their energies.
Q: The leader Saladin was Kurdish. Is he a source of pride for you?
A: We are the descendants of Saladin, who led the Islamic armies and liberated Jerusalem. We, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, thank the wise government represented by leader Masoud Barzani, who gave us an experience in Iraq that we are proud of. We own a part of Iraq called Kurdistan, which was once mountains and today has become towers. We have watered this civilization with our blood. We follow the path of our late father, Mustafa Barzani, and the old leaders, as well as many leaders who stood with the Kurds, such as Sayyid Mohsen Al-Hakim, who has left a wonderful mark on the Kurds.
Q: It is said that our Kurdish brothers do not like assimilation and intermarriage with Sunnis or Shiites. What is your response to that?
A: Unfortunately, a few Sunni and Shiite religious figures have described the Kurds as a tribe of jinn, and that intermarriage with them is forbidden. The Kurds are people of relationships and loyalty. My maternal uncles are Arabs, my paternal uncles are Kurds, and we intermarry with Arabs.
Q: Did the overthrow of Bashar Al- Assad affect the Kurds in Syria?
A: We believe that the Kurds in Syria should have many rights, just like the Kurds in Iraq. They should be accorded special status, appreciation, and respect, just like us. We were very happy when the new Syrian government included some Kurdish leaders. We hope that peace will prevail in Syria in general, and for the Kurds in particular.
Q: Do you think that Syria is progressing after Bashar Al-Assad or the opposite?
A: We hope the new regime in Syria learns from the mistakes of the previous regime, especially since Syria possesses much potential and will return to being one of the best countries. On rumors that he is the son of ‘Hoshyar Zibari’, he stressed, “This is not true. Leader Hoshyar Zibari is from my tribe, and we are connected only by tribe. I am honored by that, but he is not my father. I am proud of him as an Iraqi Kurdish political figure, not being my father.”
By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
