This is What Genocide Looks Like

Take a close look at the picture below.

Now Imagine this is your child. Imagine you had to leave your home with a hope of a save haven for your child. Not for yourself, but for your child. You are going through hell right here on earth.

I am actually speechless for all the war crimes ISIS is doing against humanity. I am numb for all the hate in the world. I am powerless because we can't stop the war or the hate.

I still remember like it was yesterday when I was listening to my history teacher and he was talking about Hitler's war crimes. At that time I was thinking "wow, and no one did anything to stop him. What a world!". I never guessed that 10 years later I would be the one to witness such cruelty. History keeps repeating itself and we never learn. Do we?

I know what you are thinking. Lots of kids are dying everyday in Asia, Africa and in the whole world. But when will we stand up and say "Enough is enough!". We can't keep letting our people die because they are running away from war! I mean how can we sleep in our cozy warm beds when we know there are people dying because of our style of living?! Our standards and needs are so high that we keep asking for more and more, and who gets hurt? Guess twice.

I won't get into too much politics, because it's one woman's opinion. What we need to do is put our focus on humanity, instead of who wins and who looses.  We are living in the same god damn world, same bubble but yet we have two separate worlds: The West and the East. The rich and the poor. We are breathing the same air, enjoying the same rain and sunset but yet we somehow feel more privileged and close our borders from the ones in need. Not to even mention the rich Arab countries who ain't moving even one finger!

I mean what the hell?!

Since when our lives have prices and labels? Since when I am more privileged just because I was lucky enough to live in one of the safest places in the world? Since when we human beings are the smartest race in the world? Huh..what a laugh! At least animals care for each other, at least animals show compassion and empathy towards one and another.

I am simply disgusted and I blame the world leaders and their unbelievable greediness.

Let's all make a stand and do our part. Always remember to help each other, always show love instead of hate and always remember this innocent child.

May this angel rest in peace.

The Two Parallel Worlds of Finland and Kurdistan

After work I met a friend and we had a cup of coffee. Once I got back home it was close to 8 PM. Couple of hours passed even though it felt like minutes. I opened my convertible sofa and laid on it. I was literally exhausted even though my daily job is not physically tiring just mentally.

Now it was 10 PM and my little sister came to lay next to me. As I was looking at her, I couldn't help myself thinking what if one day I lost her. I can't name a single person in this universe that would never fight with their siblings and we are no different from others. There are days when I can't even stand looking at her because she knows exactly how to piss me off. Nevertheless, I love her a lot and I can't think of anything bad happening to her. There are days when I worry how will she manage if someone treats her bad, or what if she gets lost on her way to a new place. Even a thought of letting her go study alone in a new city freaks me out. I mean how will she manage all by herself! She is just a kid -and in reality she is already 18 years old. 

I guess its love.

I remember an incident from 2009 like yesterday. My little sister was around 12/13 years old and she called me in the morning. She was in school and I was just about to start my shift. I answered the call and in a matter of seconds I felt like my heart jumped to my throat. She was crying over the phone screaming "stop it! leave me alone!". I was in a shock but I managed to get myself together and ask her "what's going on!". No answer, but I only heard her crying over the phone telling me to help her. I couldn't take it anymore and I yelled her name and demanded her to answer me. Finally she told me another girl is bullying her and she is scared because she couldn't defend herself. 

I will never forget that call.

We all know how it feels like when we are completely helpless and our hands are tied. The day I received the call from my sister was the worst day in my entire life. Why? Because I was so damn helpless. I was too far away from her. I couldn't protect her. I couldn't make her stop crying. Most of all, I couldn't teach a lesson to the bully.

No one can argue the strong bond between siblings and loved ones. If we truly care for someone there is not a single thing in this world we wouldn't do to protect them.

Let's think of a parallel world, but don't forget my little sisters' incident. Right now I am laying down on a warm bed with a peace of mind, I feel safe and my stomach is full. I know deep down in my heart even thought I might sometimes forget it that I am blessed. I am blessed since I know the next morning I open my eyes it's a new day with a bright future ahead. I also know that the sky is clear and the day is mine to take.

At the exact same time, but in a different world there is a little child. Whose same minute is uncertain not to even mention the next morning. He is not safe. His stomach is empty. While I have a peace of mind he is shedding tears. The tears are the size of a small bubble, coming down on his cheeks. He is scared. There is not a promise of a safer tomorrow nor a feeling of being cared and loved.

"Just saw this young man crying outside in the rain. Tried talking to him for 20 minutes to see what was wrong but he was too scared to even talk. The strange thing is at least 10 other people walked by and they didn't even seem to notice. He can't have been older than 6; we really have fallen far."

Aryan Qazzaz

The question is, how does this affect me? Well, it doesn't. You are absolutely right. I mean why would you care about someone living in a different world? Miles away if not even light years. See, the point is not about caring, the point is not about doing something, the point is not stopping something bad happening in a different world. 

What's the point then?

Wait, what the flower did I just write.. Rewinding back.

Two different worlds, I mean two Parallel worlds? Oh Hell No. We are actually living on the same god damn planet, living under the same blue sky, enjoying the same ray of light, breathing the same air and YET we separate ourselves with borders of different countries, communicating in languages I have never even heard, we drink and dance differently depending on the culture and then again I sleep in a warm bed but that kid up there is crying bubble tears.

Hmm.. What does my little sisters' incident, this kid and the two parallel worlds got to do with each other? EVERYTHING.

My little sister is everything to me, she is family, and that is the reason why I can never think of living without her. That's why I want to protect her with each breath I got. This feeling, this need of protecting family shouldn't be only for the close people. This feeling and need should be for the whole world. We are not living in two different worlds, we are all the same no matter how hard we try to prove other wise. 

It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, because at the end we all turn into dust and rest in identical graves.

I'm not here to preach any of you, I just want to give you some insight. We should do our best every single day to help each other. We need to hold on to the thought of Family and the strong bond between us. We are the destruction of humanity, which means we are also the key for the salvation of humanity.  

Look into these eyes and decide for yourself.

Explain Again, Why Do I Need a Man?

Being a woman is more than just becoming a wife when 

finding the right man -at least for Kurds. 

Yes, it's true that due to our geographical location our women should be nothing else than just order obeying daughters and wives. Yes, it's true that Kurdistan is an Islamic country and it makes any western doubt our rights as a woman.But are we oppressed eastern women? Hell no.

I'm a woman and I personally stand for independent, hard working and goal-achieving Kurdish women. When did the mainstream media become a manipulative source of information? Ugh, I guess the day they invented media. 

For days I've been thinking of this topic since it is more than a recent topic, when considering what's going on in Middle East and the whole world in general. We talk about degraded women rights in Middle East but highly valued woman rights in the West. Really? Is it just the ignorance of the West to see the whole Middle East as one? Is it the educated West and the uneducated Middle East? 

I want to clean the air and express myself by telling you all how a Kurdish woman truly is!

"Behind every man, there is not a woman. She is beside him, she is with him, not behind him"

-Tariq Ramadan

We have women fighting side by side with our men

We have women in politics; making decisions with men as equals

We have women as police officers

We have women representing the Great Kurdistan

I am sure not many of you expected this, but it does not matter since I am here to show you even more! Maybe you think, the pictures above are about people who belong to the "upper-class", hence does not really represent the whole nation. Or does it? I have had the privilege to interview some Kurdish women who more than proudly represent most of us. 

 

Without mentioning any names I decided to interview Kurdish mothers all around the world. I chose to interview mothers because they are already occupied with the household, being a mom and at the same time a wife. I asked them questions such as:

How do they manage being a mother, a wife and at the same time follow their dreams?

What were their dreams and did their husband support them?

What are they doing today?

I got many answers and most of them did not surprise me because I knew Kurdish women are strong and willing to go that extra mile in order to make everything happen. Most of the interviewers were working and not just being a stay-home mom. One was even starting her own business and she inspired me by her plans. I wish nothing but success to all of them!



The question is, what is my point in all this?

My point is that nowadays women are stronger than before. We have a voice none can take away, we have motivation and most of all we thrive for success. What do Kurdish women do? We make sure the whole world knows our name, knows our background and definitely knows which way we are going. And let me tell you, there is no way than straight to the top!



The Hunt of Kurdish Legends

"If you are scared, you are going to die"

-Aza Nawzad Anwarbag Betwata 

" Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice"

At first, I did not quite understand what Mr. Smith meant. I thought it's just a picture with a text, until I met Aza Nawzad Anwarbag Betwata. It was just an ordinary day and I was scrolling down on facebook, when I saw his facebook profile. He had a picture of Peshmarga as his profile picture and at first I thought it's not his own picture. After having the priviledge to talk to him, I found out that he will be a Kurdish Legend.

While the whole world is still sleeping in their warm beds, our soldiers are wide awake. They get dressed and make sure they have the Kurdistan flag right next to their heart. It was 5.30am my time when Mr. Betwata was on a move. 

"I've slept enough and now it's time to go to the frontline" 

So the question is... Who is Aza Betwata? He is no different from you and I, he is the people's choice. He has been raised in the Netherlands but never forgotten his roots. In August 2014 Aza decided to join the Peshmarga Forces. He wanted to join the movement and fight for a Free Kurdistan!

 

Full Name: Aza Nawzad Anwarbag Betwata

Birthday: July 13, 1990 (24 Years old)

Nationality: Dutch

Origin: Xhosnaw, Kurdistan

We have seen and heard many young and brave Kurds from abroad coming back to Kurdistan and fight ISIS. But what makes him different from others? Nothing, but Mr Betwata is a best example of a young Kurd who believes in a better tomorrow. He is ready to put his own life at risk, he is ready to give up on everything only to ensure the safety of our people. 

True braveness at a peak. Our Peshmarga.

Here I am sitting in my neat office, enjoying the ray of the sun light and not worrying about a single thing. In contrast, Aza is in the middle of a battle field making sure none will trespass the border of Kurdistan. It's funny when you put your own life in contrast with someone else's life.  

Suddenly you are more grateful. 

The more I put my head into this topic, the more patriotic I become. I look at Aza and I look at my own life -and I can't even describe how meaningless my own daily routine becomes. My existence feels worthless. Even though I should not because we all are doing something, we are living for something. What makes us all different is that some of us are willing to go the extra mile. They are willing to do something that others are not. 

What happens after the war?

Even though Aza is living everyday as if it is his last, he still has future plans for tomorrow. He is not going back to the Netherlands but instead he will stay in Kurdistan and do his best to change Kurdistan into a save haven for all of us. 

The more I listen to Aza, the more I sense his excitement for a better tomorrow, the more I feel his pain, the more I realize he just might be the key for it all. 

For you that know him, knows he got big plans for Kurdistan and those that does not know him -remember his name. 

At first I saw Aza Betwata as a Kurdish Legend, but after getting to know him more I can tell you all that you are looking at a Future Leader right here.

 Want to follow Aza's life? Here are all the social platforms:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Strong and Independent

Strong and Independent. What does it bring to your mind? I grew up in the Western society and in my mind being strong and independent means I study hard, I graduate with grades that gives me plenty of opportunities to succeed in the working environment. Also it means I am not depending on anyone, not socially or financially. 

Being strong and independent means I won't let anyone bring me down. Most importantly I work hard to kick asses, not to mention I demand equality between women and men. 

We strive for success. 

But what if all of our beliefs and ideologies flipped around, and we go back to where it all started. When the only thought we had was being Free, when the only thought we had was to Live, and when the only thought we had was to have Peace.

How did we do this? We fought with blood and pain. Isn't odd that we have to go back to the history and let it repeat all over again, even when we are living in the new century, in the new era? It is, it's very odd. 

"The history will mention them as Great Warriors and they are the only force who could stand against the horrifying beast, so proud to see women fighting along with our men." 

-Ayad R. Slevani

Now you might wonder, who am I talking about? Who are these "Great Warriors"? Who are these freedom fighters? Well dear readers, let me tell you who are they.

They are your sisters and mothers. They are your nation. 

The Strong and Independent: 

Kurdish Female Warriors

They are our Strong and Independent women fighting with our men. Equality at it's best. 

"Kurdish women's participation in the war means equality between men and women" 

-Saman Naseh

Forget the idea you had of Strong and Independent women because I am here to introduce you a new idea, a new concept and definitely a new world. You don't need to be a successful business woman, a doctor or a lawyer to be Strong and Independent. All you need to do is believe in something, and fight for it till the end. Especially when it's about fighting for freedom. Our Female freedom fighters are fighting for us everyday, so that our future is guaranteed. They are fighting against an ideology, an ideology that wants to take away our very existence. 

Our women are fighting against IS (Islamic State) better than the Western World. Why? Because they believe in Equal Freedom! The West maybe invented the Concept of Freedom and printed it in every dictionary but it is our women who nails it and shows in action what it really means.

"A Living and soon to be historical proof that women can be as

 tough and intimidating as 

men. When freedom, lives and land was on the stake, it was 

our women who took the step 

forward to defend our honor and dignity, which is a proof of 

their incomparable ability, 

courage and strength." -Ranj Barzanji

"When they see a woman with a gun, they're

so afraid they begin to shake. They portray 

themselves as tough guys to the world. But 

when they see us with our guns they run

away. They see a woman as just a small

thing. But one of our women is worth a

hundred of their men."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29085242

Because of our Kurdish freedom fighters, these women have broken all the universal laws that women are incapable to fight for freedom. It's not about holding a gun, it is about believing in a better future for all of us. Not being oppressed by anyone. Not anymore. 

I believe in these women, I believe they will rewrite the history and I believe in Freedom. Just as they do. Share love and have faith because these women are here to stay!

GOD BLESS KURDISTAN