Kurdistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani advocates for Fayli Kurds’ rights after historical genocide while supporting Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac communities. Simultaneously, he promotes innovation through an international forum in Sulaymaniyah aimed at turning young entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality.
Historical Justice for Kurdistan’s Ancient Communities
Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, has emphasized that the Fayli Kurds rank among the oldest communities in both Kurdistan and Iraq, deserving compensation for the genocide and forced displacement they endured. In a statement marking the anniversary of the atrocities against Fayli Kurds, Talabani noted: “The Fayli Kurds, like the Yazidis, are one of the most ancient groups in Kurdistan and Iraq, yet they have faced some of the gravest injustices and oppression over the past century.”
The Deputy PM explained that Fayli Kurds were repeatedly targeted—sometimes due to their religious affiliation and other times simply for being Kurdish. “They were treated as outsiders and stripped of their rights,” he stated. Talabani emphasized that while Kurdish people will never forget the atrocities committed against the Fayli Kurds, including their forced expulsion by the former Ba’ath regime, this tragedy should strengthen unity and foster a shared future among Kurdistan’s diverse communities. He urged Kurdish representatives in Baghdad to work diligently to ensure Fayli Kurds receive compensation and have their confiscated rights fully restored.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity in the Region
In a separate message celebrating Akitu (the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year), Talabani extended congratulations to Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac communities throughout Kurdistan, Iraq, and worldwide. “I wish them days filled with happiness, peace, and tranquility,” he stated. The Deputy PM highlighted that these communities are among the region’s most ancient populations, noting that “just as Kurdistan has long taken pride in its rich history of coexistence among all communities, it remains today a stronghold of peaceful coexistence and security for all its people.”
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Second International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Cultural Factory in Sulaymaniyah, with Qubad Talabani in attendance. This forum aims to address challenges through creative solutions developed by young innovators. Beyond general societal benefits, the event helps turn entrepreneurs’ concepts into reality, establishing project ownership for idea creators.
This follows the inaugural forum held on January 25, 2024—the first such event in Kurdistan and Iraq—which attracted 300 special guests including country consuls, business owners, and investors. During that first forum, Talabani remarked: “I am delighted we have gathered in Sulaymaniyah, as this city has always been at the forefront of innovation and confronting challenges.”
