Rebin Fattah, Organizer of the First Kurdish Book Fair at the Erbil International Fair:The Barzani Charity Foundation is participating in this exhibition with two projects and has a prominent presence and a special status.
The first Kurdish Book Fair is being held at the Erbil International Fair, and the Barzani Charity Foundation is participating with two projects (a collection of rare books and the National Campaign to Combat Narcotic Drugs). A number of public figures and civil citizens highly appreciate the Foundation’s products and its attention to culture and social issues.
The first Kurdish Book Fair was opened on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Erbil International Fairgrounds in Sami Abdulrahman Park in Erbil. Wafae House is organizing the exhibition, and Rebin Fattah, Director of Wafae House, indicated that the exhibition features tens of thousands of books and is being held with the participation of more than 130 Kurdish book publishing and distribution centers. It will continue from June 4 to June 10, 2026.
Rebin Fattah emphasized that the Kurdish Book Fair is a restoration of respect and status for Kurdish writers and a new value for Kurdish literature, and it is also a step toward strengthening the relationship between Kurdish writers and readers. He also said: “The first Kurdish Book Fair is a platform for honoring and appreciating all those who have served the Kurdish language and literature through the power of words and writing.” He further pointed out that more than 37,000 books had been sold during the first three days of the exhibition.
The Director of Wafae House also stated that the Barzani Charity Foundation is participating in the exhibition with two projects, saying: “In addition to participating with a collection of books, especially the books of His Excellency Kak Masoud Barzani, which are rare and can only be found through them and are in great demand, with their revenues allocated to charitable work, the Barzani Charity Foundation is also participating with the National Campaign to Combat Narcotic Drugs, which in the true sense of the word is confronting the dangers facing our society and doing valuable work. Therefore, the Barzani Charity Foundation has a prominent place and a special status in this exhibition.”
Aydin Marouf, Minister of Regional Affairs for Components in the Kurdistan Regional Government, expressed his views regarding the exhibition and the products of the Barzani Charity Foundation, saying: “As components, where there is no difference between nationalities, we visited this exhibition in order to become more closely acquainted with Kurdish history, culture, literature, and these books that are present at the Kurdish Book Fair. In particular, we visited the stand of the Barzani Charity Foundation, which plays a very positive role in every aspect, especially in humanitarian assistance, serving all those in need without discrimination, regardless of nationality or religion. It is pleasing that this institution is participating with a collection of historical books and the works of the Kurdish leadership and leaders, especially the history written by His Excellency President Barzani. Of course, the revenues from the sale of these products are once again allocated to charitable work and humanitarian assistance, which deserves appreciation, and I hope they will always be successful.”
Dr. Abdulsalam Madani, an academic figure, intellectual, and civil activist, praised the Barzani Charity Foundation for this participation and said: “This is not the first time I have seen the Barzani Charity Foundation participating in such initiatives. Through various platforms, it gives a very meaningful value to its work. During every unfortunate event, the Barzani Charity Foundation takes the initiative, and we see it where shelters are being established for those without shelter and where valuable assistance is provided to those people. At the same time, it does not neglect intellectual work and continues publishing books, conducting training courses, and giving lectures in the Kurdish language in order to preserve it. I congratulate them and hope they will always be successful.”
Suheila Mustafa, an artist and expert in Kurdish culture, said regarding the same issue: “I have visited many international book fairs, but this is the first exhibition dedicated specifically to Kurdish books, and it is appropriate to congratulate those who took the initiative to organize this exhibition.” She added: “What is particularly pleasing is that among all book exhibitions, the Barzani Charity Foundation participates with a collection of rare and valuable books, and it has participated in the same way in this exhibition. What is even more pleasing is that the collections and writings of His Excellency President Barzani are being sold by the Barzani Charity Foundation, and they are in very high demand. All revenues from these works go to the transparent and trusted treasury of the Barzani Charity Foundation, where they are entirely used for humanitarian work. Without discrimination, the Barzani Charity Foundation has helped the needy, the poor, and those affected, regardless of nationality or religion, and has continuously paid attention to education and culture.”
Bekas Hamaqadir, Kurdish writer, poet, translator, and intellectual, said regarding the publications of the Barzani Charity Foundation: “Our understanding of the Barzani Charity Foundation is that it serves and assists vulnerable people, and throughout its years of work it has played a positive role. But now that I see that they are publishing books, whose revenues are also dedicated to charitable work, it is something worthy of appreciation.”
In response to a question about what criticism or recommendations he had so that the Barzani Charity Foundation could take more effective and better steps, he said: “There is no criticism to be directed at the Barzani Charity Foundation because it is a non-profit institution, and its activities are in the social and cultural fields. Furthermore, expanding support for education and culture is in itself a very great service.”
