The simple life versus the race to the moon!!!

I was reading an article by Wray Herbert in Newsweek, the idea of the 'simpler past' attracted my attention. Despite the fact I am only young, but at times, I do yearn for a life that is simple.

Taking a stride through any local village in the region, the simple life of isolation from the rest of the world can, at times, be the ultimate solution to this world that we live in today. That is all about Globalization (Internationalization, liberalization, universalization, westernization and what have you). Having said this, personally, I can not imagine my life for even one day without these fascinating new ideas and inventions that develop and progress before the blink of an eye.

On the other hand, at times being far from all these developments has its own taste, it is a feeling that you are on your own- Just you and Mother Nature. To experience, to a small extent, the life our ancestors had. It brings to my mind ‘where we were and where we have come’. Often when me or my younger brother whine of something, my father begins: ‘back when I was…’ our immediate responses is: ‘ohhh… here we go again’. However it is true, we have come a long way, through my eyes much of the changes are positive to a large degree. But by no means is our life simple today.

Our world has changed in extraordinary ways. We are investing in things that the generation before us never thought of. Furthermore, we have accomplished ambitions that were beyond the dreams of those living before us.

Imagine this, a small village called Halladen, not far from Slemani. Two elderly people are sitting outside their mud house; with the background of a cow ‘mooing’, and the ‘Eeyore’ of the donkey, the pecking chicken beside the green vegetable garden are sitting with a mountain of dates. Both elders, with their shaky hands and weak eyes, breaking each freshly picked dates with a stone.

Not so much of distance outside that village, all of a sudden it is a different planet.
A world where mice are sent into space, mass destruction weapons are created with our own hands; a world where we can connect to any person at any time in any part of the globe; a word where stem cell research is being undertaken and a world where it is not too far before we have ‘human made human’. Whether we are playing God or not is another argument, the point is, if we take the time to think, today’s world is amazing in so many ways and is changing by the second- as we write, as we speak, as we think.

Despite this, some people have no clue all this is taking place. They live their simple life, they basically live to survive. Whereas us, we live to have more, we live to have a sentiment of greediness, we live to make changes, destroy and build. We live to earn and yearn, they live to survive and reproduce.

When we come back to the reality and the world we live in, we realize just how much we take things for granted, how often we do not appreciate what we have. As well as this, the many problems and issues that this positive 'progress' has brought with itself.

We live in a world today where machines and technology do everything for us- even thinking. They, however, live a life depending on their own two hands and feet.

Science, knowledge and explanations dominate today’s society. Opportunities are open and change is constantly taking place. My message is make the positive use of these advancements, do not overuse them nor should you take them for granted.

Make the time to think of ‘the simple life’, so you do not forget how some people live, don’t forget ‘where we were and where we are’ and always listen to the stories our elders tell, they always start with: ‘back in my day….’ For they teach us very important lessons.

Sazan Mandalawi October 2008. Should be studying 'Politics of Developing states' rather than this.

So you say: "I am bored?!"

Erbil has come a long way

I remember almost two years ago when I first returned to Kurdistan there was barely any place to go out. Other than Naza Mall, Park Sami-Abdul Rahman, Minaret and New City had just been open. Today, Hawler has come a long way.

We do not notice the rapid changes because the changes are gradual infront of our eyes everyday. If you leave the region and return you realize many changes and developments have taken place.

Rheil Mall- the shops are some of my favourite in Hawler the third storey has brought the children's rides, it is a nice evening out with a little shopping, a snack to eat and a ride or two for the toddlers.

J&K Fitness Centre- This has just been open this year, it is a luxuries 'Women's Only' getaway, it has everything a women needs from a great restaurant, nice seating area, swimming pools, Sona, beauty care, salon , net cafe, etc... it is the ultimate place to go out with a group of girls. Even if just for a coffee in the cafeteria.

2B2, Bakery and more etc...- The restaurants and Cafes keep opening, there is a new one every day, 2B2 has a nice seating area upstairs

Above: Picture of the 2B2 cafe upstairs- the atmosphere is one of the rare in Erbil. Worth visiting for a coffee or ice cream

Aqua Park- Even though I have only been there for a visit, however, the long winding waterslides and pool is a real attraction and appears to be a bundle of fun. The bowling is also very new to the region and seems to be a popular new leisure activity for those who like to try something different.

Family Fun amusement park- This is the most popular new attraction, 12 rides, some too daring I could never try, even if just going to look around. Listening to people's screams and laughter can some how be amusing in its own way. I am looking forward for the opening of the mall and cinema in that area.

The rides are now open, the Alabora is one of three in the world to this grand size... try it if you dare!!

March 2009 the finish produce of the Family Fun project will look like the picture above

It is not the most radical and dramatic change, but when we think of it, this is great development considering the backward development of the rest of the country. The skeleton of buildings in the process of completion stand high; if progress continues like this Erbil will transform into a city of dreams... of course there are many other gaps that need to be filled. For now the shopping, the food and the rides is enough to keep us busy as we await to see what appears next.

Pêşmerge: 'Those who face death'

Ay pêşmergey Kurd...

The Peshmarga spirit in Kurds... where is it today?

your father, your grandfather, your great great grandfather; your uncle, son, brother or relative. Almost every Kurdish family has a Peshmerga that can sit and for hours tell stories of their experience during the years they spent in the mountains. The Peshmerga that fought risking his life and literally faced death for the Kurds, the Peshmerga are those that brought Kurdistan to what it is today are unfortunately losing their spirit in the 'Modernizing' Kuridsh society.

The men who were honest, strong and faced death; who are what ever he could see, who fought in the coldest winter days through the snow and through the hottest summer days under the sizzling sun. Those who fought for no return, who fought with their hearts and blood. Just for you and I to live in a place called 'Kurdistan'. What are we, as Kurdish youth, doing today to pass our sincere gratitude for those men who fought for our future by facing death?

"This is Mir Mokhsen, a Peshmerga or Kurdish freedom fighter who has fought in hundreds of battles for Kurdish freedom for half a century. He has faced Saddam Hussein’s tanks, Russian-made helicopter gunships, chemical weapons and poison gas, the unspeakable brutality of Saddam’s soldiers countless times – and survived."

(Dr. Jack Wheeler; 28 June 2008; tothepointnews.com)

It is people like Mir Mokhsen that we must appreciate and respect for today, tomorrow and always. Instead of winging and blaming people for the problems our nation faces today, youth should also consider the horrendous past the Kurds suffered. I hope today's gentlement will grow to have even a 'tiny little bit' of the peshmerga spirit that their fathers and gradfathers had... unfortunyately it is not always evident. Just talks, not true freedom fighters who are deep with emotions for their nation.

Mandali, Khanaqin and Faili Kurds...!!

Living abroad any person who asked me:
"where are you from?" or "what is your nationality"

I would simple reply:

"Kurdistan! and I am a Kurd!"

Most of the time I would have to say North Iraq and give an entire lecture of what I knew about the Kurds. If however, they knew something more they would ask:

"Which province are you from?"

Here... I would mumble. "I am not from Slemani, I am not from Hawler, I am not from Duhok, I am not exactly an Iranian Kurd either. I am from Mandali, we are called in most cases Faylee Kurds." Today, I like to see myself, personally, as a Khanaqini after many visits I see so much similarity and no difference. Geographically and socially it is very much linked to Mnali.

Khanaqin is the place where I feel I belong, even though my entire life I have not lived there for more than 21 days all together, and unfortunately have never had the honor to seen Mandali by eyes yet.

I hope this blogspot will allow for all those Kurds like myself to start our little movement and share thoughts and feelings of who we are. In the end we are all Kurds, nonetheless, we must confine to our heritage and ancestors, as you will witness from posts to come the Faylee Kurds, like the victims of Halaja and Anfal suffered, and suffered greatly!!

I was born to try... My friends welcome!

Doing everything that I believe in
Going by the rules that I've been taught
More understanding of what's around me
And protected from the walls of love

All that you see is me

And all I truly believe...

That I was born to try

I've learned to love

Be understanding

And believe in life

But you've got to make choices

Be wrong or right

Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like

But I was born to Try

All that you see is me

All I truly believe

All that you see is me

All I truly believe

That I was born to try...

Welcome!!

For anyone who knows me well you would know I simply do not enjoy English music...The above, however, are words from Delta Goodrem's song- Born to Try!Accidently came on the radio in the car, the words seemed to be in my head for days after. With Google not being far I managed to type some keywords I remembered and here it is, words I truly believe in: BORN TO TRY

Not just me, but everybody and everyone is born to try. We may do mistakes more than others, this just means we learn more. We may sacrifice more than others, that just means we will go further in life. We may be hurt more than others, and that just means we learn more about life along the way!

It is the summer break here in Hawler, and coincidently the holy month of Ramadan. I must admit it is hard to enjoy the fasting season in this deadly hot weather, nonetheless, the Ramdan spirit is everywhere. As soon as you step outside your home you can feel the atmosphere of this Holy Month, something I was not used to in Australia. That is just another one of those reasons why I believe there is no place like home!! The scenery on the left is one of the many natural beauties you can witness in the region.

As the curtains of the year closed I wait the doors of 2008/2009 to open- I must admit it was a hectic year with many UPS and DOWNS. Despite all difficulties and confrontations the Politics and IR group managed to have a very enjoyable time with memories of all sorts to cherish for years to come. The most memorable in my mind is the Heran picnic.

During the cross border tensions with Turkey, as students we united together and undertook a 'peaceful' demonstration outside the university in the cold, misty morning. It definately is a day I will always be proud of. The picture is of the amazingly beautiful Avashin river, the bridge was destroyed by the Turks... the incident hurt us all. As you can see from the second picture we didn't stay silent.

In Dr. Frances's lectures it was often hard to tell who was supposed to teach with all the comments and opinions during the lecture (that was at the beginning of the year.... of course this latter changed) The last minute studies and the lectures Kak Zrar gave us the day before the exams or early morning on exam day had their own unique taste. The Picture on the right is the day before our Middle East exam the next morning. We tended to be a group who liked to leave everything to for the last minute (from assignments, catching up on lecture notes to actually STUDYING)


I must admit I miss every second. Our Politics and IR class to me was like a big family, I write with gloom that next year our family will be broken into parts, as a result of the Exam Board decision we have people going in a little different paths.

Many, including myself are a little restless and confused of how the university will continue, we all have our fingers crossed and hope things will move to the right direction. We must however remain optimistic and support one another. Even if we are not in the same class... One thing is for sure, the bond of our family and the strong frienship we share will always remain tight.


I hope you are all enjoying your break...
See you in a months time,

Happy Holidays