The 38th session of the Dialogue Circle, titled “The Impact of Kurdish Unity Amid the Transformations in the Middle East,” was held on March 3, 2026, at the hall of the Culture and Media Department of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
For this session, a comprehensive field report was prepared covering all provinces and independent administrations of the Kurdistan Region. It included contributions from a number of selected participants who presented their perspectives on the impact of Kurdish unity amid the current critical transformations in the Middle East. After the report was presented on screen, the discussion panel, comprising Musa Ahmed, Bapir Kamala, Hazha Suleiman, Ziyad Petros, Rasul Raouf, Dr. Hiwa Majid, Nihad Ilkhani, Dr. Nayef Kurdistani, Sheikh Murshid Khaznawi, Fuad Onn (via Skype), along with Dialogue Circle members Shvan Hamdi, Prof. Nazakat Hussein, Dr. Jalal Ahmed, and Farhad Mohammed, engaged in an open and in-depth discussion. A summary of this dialogue was published in Gulan Magazine on March 9, 2026.
Musa Ahmed, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation, was one of the panelists. The following reflects the essence of his remarks, which were published in Gulan Magazine and will later be issued in two books in both Kurdish and Arabic.
Musa Ahmed has led the Barzani Charity Foundation and has dedicated more than twenty years of his life to humanitarian work inside and outside the Kurdistan Region. In this Dialogue Circle session, he presented his views and proposals as follows:
He began by expressing his gratitude to the Dialogue Circle of the Culture and Media Department of the Kurdistan Democratic Party for organizing such a high-level discussion on the important issue of Kurdish unity. He also thanked the participants who commended the work of the Barzani Charity Foundation.
National Identity
When discussing the national and cultural identity of the people of Kurdistan, political and historical dimensions often dominate. However, at the core of this society lies a vast moral and humanitarian wealth that has rarely been approached as a structured system namely, the culture of giving and supporting those in need. This characteristic, deeply rooted in Kurdish history, emerges as one of the greatest social assets during times of crisis. Kurdistan possesses a rich and exceptional culture of generosity that few nations can match.
The fundamental question, however, is: how can this natural humanitarian spirit be transformed into an organized and effective force that transcends national borders?
Historically, one of the main challenges facing Kurdish society has been the lack of organization of its capabilities. After the 1991 uprising and the establishment of the Kurdistan Region, expectations were high that all sectors, including humanitarian work would become institutionalized. For a long time, charity remained largely at the level of individual initiatives or temporary assistance, which proved insufficient to address major crises.
Institutionalizing the Culture of Giving
The establishment of the Barzani Charity Foundation was a strategic response to this gap. One of its primary goals was to demonstrate that culture and tradition of giving can be transformed into science and structured management. Institutionalization became the turning point. When humanitarian work moves from individual efforts to an institutional level, its impact multiplies and gains the trust of the international community.
In many conflict-affected societies, institutions are often accused of being tied to specific political parties or regions. Overcoming this perception is a major challenge. Successful institutions are those that transcend such limitations and become a shared national asset. Even if some institutions originate from political support, once they operate professionally, they evolve into representations of national identity.
The successful models in Kurdistan have managed to overcome such accusations and become expressions of the living conscience of the Kurdish people. Their importance lies in their ability to transcend political and regional divisions, especially in times of crisis.
International Standing of the Barzani Charity Foundation
The current global standing of humanitarian work in Kurdistan is the result of tireless field efforts. The Barzani Charity Foundation’s membership in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) reflects its adherence to international standards. This is not merely symbolic, it represents a significant responsibility.
Today, the Foundation operates in more than ten countries. This signifies that Kurdistan is no longer only a recipient of aid, but has become an active contributor on the global humanitarian map.
This transformation from a nation once displaced to one that now protects and assists the displaced is one of the greatest moral achievements. Humanitarian capacity here refers to the ability to respond rapidly to disasters, combining modern organizational systems with the Kurdish spirit of sacrifice.
Time as a Life-Saving Factor
In humanitarian work, time is the thin line between life and death. Institutionalization allows for preparedness, rapid response, and effective logistics capable of crossing borders within hours.
The Kurdistan Region’s response to the major earthquake in Turkey and Syria marked a historic turning point. Kurdish rescue teams reached affected areas even before some local institutions, demonstrating not only courage but also organizational efficiency.
Similarly, large aid convoys reaching Western Kurdistan during its darkest moments represented not only material support but also psychological and national solidarity.
Hope for Rojava Kurdistan
At a time when people in Rojava Kurdistan were on the verge of despair and displacement, the arrival of aid bearing the Kurdistan flag acted as a powerful psychological turning point. It conveyed a clear message: “You are not alone.”
This sense of support strengthened people’s determination to remain in their homeland and prevented further waves of displacement. Humanitarian work thus became a key factor in preserving demographic stability.
Major Humanitarian Efforts
To date, the Barzani Charity Foundation has delivered 433 large aid convoys to Rojava Kurdistan, distributed 394,475 liters of fuel, provided over one million loaves of bread free of charge, delivered medical treatment to 9,335 individuals, and created 1,858 job opportunities.
These achievements demonstrate that success in humanitarian work depends not only on financial resources, but also on belief, organization, and effective systems.
Humanitarian Diplomacy and Responsibility
Cooperation with the United Nations and international agencies reflects the development of humanitarian diplomacy in the Kurdistan Region. Today, Kurdish humanitarian organizations are recognized globally as responsible actors.
This trust has become a valuable political and diplomatic asset, enabling efforts to prevent displacement not by closing borders, but by delivering aid directly to affected populations.
The Role of Leadership and Psychological Impact
During crises, people need more than food and water, they need reassurance. When affected communities see that President Barzani personally oversees and directs aid delivery, it creates a profound sense of security and support.
This aligns with what social psychology describes as “psychological stability through leadership reference.” Aid is not perceived merely as material assistance, but as a national and political message of solidarity.
It is true that political and governmental support has played a role in establishing these institutions, but this should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Across the world, states and leaders support institutional development. What truly matters is that these institutions have evolved into a major national asset, one that every Kurd, wherever they are in the world, can take pride in. Transforming a humanitarian sentiment into a humanitarian system is the strongest response to those who attempt to diminish humanitarian work by confining it within political rivalries.
Today, we live in a region constantly shaped by change and crisis. From the current situation in the Middle East to the possibility of new waves of displacement, all signs point to the urgent need for institutions that remain one step ahead of events. The current strategy of our humanitarian institutions is to deliver aid directly to the affected areas, rather than waiting for displaced people to come to the Kurdistan Region.
The Entity of the Kurdistan Region
At this sensitive stage, the most critical priority is to preserve the entity of the Kurdistan Region. We live in a time when the region is navigating through a sea of crises and transformations. Instead of focusing solely on how to rescue other parts of Kurdistan, we must first learn how to protect what we already have.
Safeguarding the Kurdistan Region means preserving a powerful model of humanitarianism. It means protecting the helping hand that reaches Western, Northern, and Eastern Kurdistan during times of crisis. This is not merely a political duty, it is the highest humanitarian and moral responsibility of every Kurd.
The model that has been tested in Western Kurdistan and achieved remarkable success should serve as a foundation for responding to any future crises in the region. This demonstrates that Kurdistan has reached a level of institutional maturity that enables it to export stability to its surroundings.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we arrive at the conclusion that the Kurdish people possess immense humanitarian capital rooted in a deep and authentic culture of giving. What has taken place in recent years is the transformation of this culture into a professional institutional system that is now recognized globally.
This rich experience, despite its challenges, stands as the strongest evidence of the Kurdish individual’s ability to build modern institutions.
Let us all work together, with sincerity and a national vision, to strengthen our institutions and protect the entity of our region. Only through this can we preserve human dignity and uphold the pride of our nation in a world full of constant change.
Key Highlights from Musa Ahmed’s Remarks
Kurdistan possesses a rich and exceptional culture of humanitarianism and generosity, rarely matched elsewhere in the world.
The teams of the Barzani Charity Foundation are now active in more than ten countries.
Kurdistan is no longer only a recipient of aid, but has become an effective contributor on the global humanitarian map.
Only well-organized institutions can mobilize efficiently in a short time and overcome administrative and political barriers to deliver aid.
When people feel there is leadership, care, and an institution capable of responding immediately, even overnight, their will to remain and endure becomes stronger.
Despite limited resources and significant political and economic pressures, the Kurdistan Region has managed to deliver large-scale aid convoys to Western Kurdistan, astonishing the world.
The Barzani Charity Foundation has delivered 433 major aid convoys from the Kurdistan Region to Western Kurdistan.
Preparing to provide assistance during crises in Iran reflects the growth of the Kurdistan Region’s humanitarian diplomacy.
Membership in ECOSOC gives local institutions legal and humanitarian weight in international forums.
When an institution becomes a source for all society and transcends borders, it moves beyond party or regional limits and becomes a national asset.
Transforming humanitarian feeling into a structured system is the most powerful answer to those who seek to politicize or diminish humanitarian work.
Rather than focusing only on liberating other parts of Kurdistan, we must first ensure the protection of the part we already have.
The successful humanitarian model tested in Western Kurdistan should guide responses to future crises.
Kurdistan has reached a stage of institutional maturity that allows it to export stability.
The Kurdish people possess vast humanitarian capital rooted in a genuine culture of giving.
Strengthening institutions and protecting the Kurdistan Region is a shared national responsibility.
