List of Kurds
Appearance
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This is a list of well known Kurdish people. The most influential of all may have been Saladin, who became the first Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt and Syria in the middle ages.
Poets and writers
The following is a list of people who have contributed to the Kurdish-language literature.
- Ali Hariri (1425–1495), Kurdish poet.
- Ahmade Bate (Ehmedê Batê), (1417–1491), Kurdish poet and Muslim cleric, Hakkari region.
- Malaye Jaziri (Melayê Cizîrî),(1570–1640), Kurdish poet and sufi
- Shamsaddin Brifkani, (1588–1674), poet.[1][2]
- Faqi Tayran (Feqîyê Teyran), (1590–1660), poet, author of Sheik San'an and Battle of DimDim.
- Ali Taramakhi (Elî Teremaxî), (16th century), linguist and writer.
- Ahmad Khani (Ehmedê Xanî), (1651–1707), Kurdish poet and a Muslim scholar, author of Mem û Zîn.
- Khana Qubadi (Xana Qubadî), (1700–1759), Kurdish poet, author of Şîrîn û Xesrew.
- Mahmud Bayazidi (1797–1859), Kurdish writer, translator and historian.
- Nali (1797–1869), Kurdish poet.
- Mastoura Ardalan (1805–1848), Kurdish poet and historiographer.
- Mawlawi Tawagozi (1806–1882), Kurdish poet and sufi.
- Haji Qadir Koyi (1817–1897), Kurdish poet.
- Sherefxan Bidlisi (1543–1599), historian and poet, author of Sharafnama in Persian.
- Mahwi (1830–1906), Kurdish poet and sufi.
- Sheikh Rezza Talabani (1835–1910), Kurdish, Iraq.
- Wafaei (1844–1902), Kurdish poet, Iran.
- Edeb (1860–1918), Kurdish poet, Iran
- Piramerd (1867–1950), Kurdish poet, writer, novelist and journalist, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Ahmed Shawqi (1868–1932), was one of the finest Arabic Language poets and dramatists, Egypt.
- Muhamed Amin Zaki (1880–1948), writer, historian and politician, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Taufiq Wahby (1891–1984), writer and linguist, Iraq.
- Jaladat Ali Badirkhan (Celadet Alî Bedirxan), (1893–1951), linguist, journalist and politician, founder of the Latin-based Kurdish alphabet.
- Nuri Barzinji (1896–1958), poet, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Arab Shamilov (Erebê Şemo) (1897–1978), Kurdish writer and novelist, Armenia.
- Rafiq Hilmi (1898–1960), Kurdish writer, literary analyst and politician, Iraq.
- Cigerxwîn (Cegerxwîn), (1903–1984), Kurdish poet and writer, Turkey/Syria.
- Abdulla Goran (1904–1962), Kurdish poet.
- Osman Sabri (1905–1993), Kurdish poet, writer and journalist, Turkey/Syria.
- Emînê Evdal (1906–1964), Kurdish writer and linguist, Armenia.
- Alaaddin Sajadi (1907–1984), Kurdish writer, poet and academic, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Hecîyê Cindî (1908–1990), Kurdish writer, linguist and researcher, Armenia.
- Qanate Kurdo (1909–1985), Kurdish writer, linguist and academic, Russia.
- Qedrîcan (1911–1972), Kurdish poet and writer, Turkey/Syria.
- Ibrahim Ahmad (1914–2000), Kurdish writer, novelist and translator, Iraqi Kurdistan/England.
- Dildar, (Yonis Reuf), (1917–1948), Kurdish poet, Iraq
- Hejar (Abdurrahman Sharafkandi), (1920–1990), Kurdish poet, writer, translator and linguist, Iran.
- Hemin Mukriyani (Hêmin Mukriyanî), (1921–1986), Kurdish journalist and poet, Iran.
- Husein Muhammed (born 1980), Kurdish writer, editor of the Kovara Mehname, translator
- Keremê Anqosî Kurdologist, poet, translator, journalist from Georgia.
- Ahmad Hardi (1922–2006), Kurdish poet, Iraqi Kurdistan/UK.
- Karim Hisami (1926–2001), Kurdish writer, Iran/Iraq/Sweden.
- Muhamad Salih Dilan (1927–1990), One of the founders of modern Kurdish poetry.
- Shamil Asgarov (1928–2005), poet, researcher on the history and culture of the Kurds in Azerbaijan, translator.
- Maruf Khaznadar (born 1930), academic and researcher, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Ordîxanê Celîl (1932–2007), academic and linguist, Armenia/Russia.
- Jamal Nebez (born 1933), writer, linguist and researcher, Germany.
- Medhat Bexaw (born 1934), Kurdish Poet and Writer, Iraqi Kurdistan
- Mehmed Emin Bozarslan (born 1935), Kurdish writer, Sweden.
- Celîlê Celîl (born 1936), Historian and Kurdologist, Armenia/Austria.
- Suwara Ilkhanizada (1937–1976), Kurdish poet, Iran.
- Sherko Bekas (born 1940), Kurdish poet.
- Eskerê Boyîk (born 1941), Kurdish poet, Armenia/Germany.
- Tosinê Reşîd (born 1941), Kurdish writer, Armenia/Australia.
- Mahmud Baksi (1944–2001), Kurdish writer and journalist, Sweden.
- Rauf Hassan (born 1945), Kurdish writer and journalist, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Rojen Barnas (born 1945), Kurdish poet and writer, Sweden.
- Azad Zal (born 1972), Kurdish poet, writer, journalist, translator and linguist, Kurdistan.
- Abdulla Pashew (born 1946), contemporary Kurdish poet.
- Şahînê Bekirê Soreklî (born 1946), Kurdish writer, poet and translator, Australia.
- Reşo Zîlan (born 1947), Kurdish writer, translator and linguist, Sweden.
- Latif Halmat (born 1947), Kurdish poet, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Keça Kurd (born 1948), poet, writer and linguist, Germany.
- Lezgin Chali (Lezgînê Çalî), Kurdish physician, administrator, writer, Kurdistan.
- Cankurd (born 1948), Kurdish writer and poet, Germany.
- Têmûrê Xelîl (born 1949), translator and journalist, Sweden.
- Zaradachet Hajo (born 1950), Kurdish linguist and academic, Head of the Kurdish PEN, Germany.
- Rafiq Sabir (born 1950), Kurdish poet, Sweden.
- Farhad Shakely (born 1951), poet, writer and academic, Sweden.
- Khalil Duhoki (born 1951), Kurdish writer, poet, Sweden.
- Khalil Rashow (born 1952), Kurdish writer and academic, Germany.
- Mehmed Uzun (1953–2007), writer and novelist, Turkey/Sweden.
- Jalal Barzanji (born 1953), writer, poet and journalist, Canada.
- Fawaz Hussain (born 1953), writer and translator, France.
- Zeynelabidin Zinar (born 1953), Kurdish writer, researcher and specialist in Kurdish folklore, Sweden.
- Kamaran Ihsan Salih (born 1969), Kurdish Poet.
- Yekta Uzunoglu (born 1953), Kurdish writer, translator and entrepreneur, Czech Republic/Germany.
- Najiba Ahmad (born 1954), Kurdish writer and poet, Iraq/Iran.
- Perwîz Cîhanî (born 1955), Kurdish writer, poet and novelist, Switzerland.
- Hesenê Metê (born 1957), Kurdish writer, novelist and translator, Sweden.
- Mustafa Aydogan (born 1957), Writer, novelist and translator, Sweden.
- Firat Cewerî (born 1959), Kurdish writer, translator and journalist, Sweden.
- Serdar Roşan (born 1959), writer, poet and translator, Sweden.
- Ata Nahai (born 1960), writer and novelist, Iran.
- Farhad Pirbal (born 1961), Kurdish writer and academic, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Nazand Begikhani (born 1964), Kurdish writer, poet and researcher, UK.
- Mahabad Qaradaghi (born 1966), Kurdish writer, poet and translator, Sweden.
- Kajal Ahmad (born 1967), Kurdish poet, writer and journalist, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Choman Hardi (born 1974), Kurdish poet, researcher and painter, UK.
- Evdile Koçer (born 1977), Kurdish writer, Germany.
- Jalal Dabagh (born 1939), Kurdish writer and journalist, Sweden.
Academics and Researchers
- Al-Shahrazuri, 13th century physician and philosopher.
- Abu al-Fida, 13-14th century historian and geographer.
- Nadir Nadirov (born 1932), Vice president of Engineering Academy and Member of Academy of Sciences, Kazakhstan.
- Yona Sabar (born 1938), Kurdish-Jewish scholar and linguist, USA.
- Amir Hassanpour (born 1943), Kurdish scholar and researcher, Canada.
- Abbas Vali (born 1950), political scientist, UK/Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Dlawer Ala'Aldeen (born 1960), Kurdish academic, physician, lobbyist, political writer, UK.
- Edip Yuksel (born 1957), Kurdish/American writer and activist, UK/Turkey/USA.
- Hashim Ahmadzadeh (born 1961), Kurdish writer, translator and academician, UK.
- Saad Eskander (born 1962), academic and researcher, director of the Iraq National Library and Archive, Iraq/UK.
- Mehrdad Izady (born 1963), academic and historian, USA.
Musicians
- Karapete Xaco (1902–2005), musician and dengbêj, Armenia.
- Ali Merdan (1904–1981), singer, Iraq.
- Hasan Zirak (1921–1972), singer, Iran.
- Mamle (1925–1999), musician and singer, Iran.
- Tahir Tewfiq (1922–1987), musician and singer, Iraq.
- Mazhar Xaliqi (born 1939), musician singer, Iran/UK.
- Şivan Perwer (born 1955), singer, Turkey/Germany.
- Nizamettin Arıç (born 1956), singer, composer and director, Turkey/Germany.
- Ciwan Haco (born 1957), musician, singer and songwriter, Syria/Norway.
- Ahmet Kaya (1957–2000), musician, Turkey
- Merziye Feriqi (1958–2005), singer, Iran/Sweden.
- Tara Jaff (born 1958), musician and singer, UK.
- Dilshad Said (born 1958), musician and composer, Austria.
- Adnan Karim (born 1963), singer, Kirkuk/Sulaimaniya, Iraq.
- Gani Mirzo (born 1968), musician, Syria/Spain.
- Şehrîbana Kurdî (born 1973), singer, Turkey.
- Rojhan Beken (born 1974), singer and composer of Rock music, Turkey.
- Aynur Doğan (born 1975), singer, Turkey.
- Rojda Aykoç (born 1978), singer and dengbêj, Turkey.
- Chopy Fatah (born 1983), singer, Iraq / The Netherlands.
- Darin Zanyar (born 1987), pop singer, Sweden.
- Qale Mere, traditional musician, Iran/Iraq.
- Zara, singer, Russia/Turkey
- Azad, singer, Germany.
- Burhan G, Kurdish-Danish singer, songwriter and producer
Religious figures
- Jaban Sahabi, (6/7th AD), companion of Muhammad.
- Ali ibn al-Athir (1160–1233), Kurdish/Islamic historian, born in Jazira (Cizîre) region.
- Ibn Khallikan (1211–1282), Muslim judge and author of a classic Arabic
- Ibn Taymiyyah (1263–1328), Islamic scholar, Harran, Turkey.
- Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad (1927–1988), was a renowned Qari (reciter of the Qur-an), Egypt.
- Asenath Barzani (1590–1670), The first Jewish woman Rabbi in history, Mosul, Iraq.
- Hadhrat Mawlânâ Khâlid-i Baghdâdî (1779–1827), founder of a significant branch of the Naqshbandi Sufi order - named Khalidiyya after him
- Mulla Effendi (1863 - December 31, 1942), Islamic philosopher, scholar, astronomer, politician, and a prominent Iraqi personality from Erbil, Iraq.
- Said Nursi (1876–1960), Kurdish Islamic thinker, Turkey.
- Hajj Nematollah (1871–1919), mystic and poet.
- Nur Ali Elahi (1895–1974), Spiritual leader of the Ahl-e Haqq religion, Iran.
- Daniel Ali (born 1959), convert to Christianity, scholar, theologian and author, USA.
- Ahmad Moftizadeh (1933–1993) Sunni Islamic Kurdish leader in Iran.
Politicians
Muhammad Ali Pasha
- Saladin (1138–1193), Founder of Ayyubid dynasty and the great Muslim leader who defeated crusaders in Battle of Hattin conquered Jerusalem.
- Sulaiman Shah, (d. 1258) Commander in chief of the Caliphate army, Governor of Kurdistan
- Bedirhan Bey (1803-1868), Kurdish emir.
- Shaikh Mahmood Barzenji (1878–1956), First King of Kurdistan and leader of the Kurdish nationalist movement in Iraq.
- Ibrahim Heski (?-1931), Kurdish soldier and politician, President of the Republic of Ararat.
- İsmet İnönü,[3](1884–1973), Second President of Turkey (of Kurdish origin).
- Simko Shikak (1887–1930), Kurdish politician.
- Halis Öztürk (1889-1977), Kurdish soldier, politician. Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
- Ferzende (?-1939?), Kurdish soldier and politician.
- Ihsan Nuri (1893-1976), Ottoman and Turkish officer, Kurdish politician, generalissimo of the Kurdish National Forces.[4]
- Qazi Muhammad (1893–1947), President of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946.
- Mustafa Barzani (1903–1979), Kurdish leader and founder of KDP
- Karim Sanjabi (1904-1995), Iranian education minister, foreign minister and leader of the Iranian national front during the Iranian revolution
- Turgut Özal (1927–1993), former Prime Minister and the 8th President of Turkey.
- Moshe Barazani (1928–1947), Kurdish Jew and a member of Lehi (The Freedom Fighters of Israel).
- Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou (1930–1989), Kurdish politician, Iran.
- Jalal Talabani (born 1933), Iraqi Kurdish politician, current President of Iraq and secretary general of PUK.
- Medet Serhat, (1934–1994), Kurdish lawyer and politician, Turkey.
- Mahmoud Othman (born 1938), Founder and former Secretary General of the Kurdish Socialist Party. Now a member of parliament.
- Ahmet Türk (born 1942), Chairman of the Democratic Society Party in Turkey
- Nawshirwan Mustafa (born 1944), politician, writer and diarist. Former Deputy Secretary General of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Leader of the "Gorran" 'Change' movement. Chairman of the "Wusha" corporation.
- Latif Rashid (born 1944), Kurdish Politician, Iraqi Minister of Water.
- Mustafa Hijri (born 1945), Secretary General of Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).
- Massoud Barzani (born 1946), is the President of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
- Abdullah Öcalan (born 1948), one of the founders of PKK.
- Murat Karayilan, acting leader of the PKK.
- Jalal Dabagh (born 1939), Kurdish politician, Iraq. Kurdistan Communist Party-Iraq
- Shahab Sheikh Nuri (1932–1976), founder of the Komalay Ranjdaran Party.
- Leyla Qasim (1952–1974), Kurdish politician and Peshmerga.
- Selim Sadak (born 1954), Kurdish politician, MP in Turkey and Mayor of Şırnak.
- Abdul Karim Qassim (1958–1963), first President of Iraq.
- Osman Öcalan (born 1958), one of the founders of PKK.
- Barham Salih (born 1960), Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq. Also a senior member of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
- Soraya Serajeddini (1960–2006), Kurdish human rights activist, United States.
- Leyla Zana (born 1961), human-rights activist and the first Kurdish woman MP in Turkey.
- Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf (born 1961), Iranian major-general, police chief and later Presidential candidate and Mayor of Tehran
- Aysel Tuğluk (born 1965), Kurdish rights activist and MP in Turkey from 2007 to 2009.
- Roya Toloui (born 1966), Kurdish journalist and human rights activist, Iran.
- Nechervan Idris Barzani (born 1966), former Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Nadhim Zahawi, (born 1967), British Conservative politician and current MP for Stratford-on-Avon.
- Nalin Pekgul (born 1967), former member of Swedish Parliament.
- Widad Akrawi (born 1969), activist and Chair of Defend International, Iraq/Denmark.
- Osman Baydemir (born 1971), current mayor of Diyarbakır, Turkey.
- Nurettin Demirtaş (born 1971), member of the DTP and MP in Turkey.
- Herro Mustafa (born 1973), diplomat, Senior Advisor on the Middle East to Vice President Biden, US.
- Houzan Mahmoud (born 1973), women rights and anti-war activist, UK.
- Sebahat Tuncel (born 1975), Member of the Turkish National Assembly, Turkey.
- Feleknas Uca (born 1976), Yazidi-Kurd and MEP for the left German Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS).
- Idris Barzani, (died 1987), former Prime Minister of the Kurdish Autonomous Region
- Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon and leader of the Druze community.
- Derwich Ferho, chairman of Kurdish Institute Brussels
- Rowsch Shaways, former vice president of Iraq in the interim government of 2004 and Parliament speaker in the KRG.
Film directors and actors
- Yilmaz Güney (1937–1984), Turkey.
- Hiner Saleem (born 1964), France.
- Bahman Ghobadi (born 1969), Iran.
- Jamil Rostami (born 1971), Iran.
- Hisham Zaman (born 1974), Iraq.
- Shero Rauf (born 1979), Iraq
Others
- Rizgar Mohammed Amin (born 1958), Chief Judge of the Iraqi Special Tribunal setup to judge Saddam Hussein.
- Aslan Usoyan, Moscow-based crime boss
- Sardasht Osman, (1987–2010) Journalist, Kurdistan - Iraq.
- Ahmad ibn Fadlan
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Registered Books, Kurdiska Biblioteket (Kurdish Library of Stockholm), 31 pp., 2007. (see p.3)
- ^ N. Pope, H. Pope, Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey, Overlook Press, 1998 ISBN 1-58567-096-0, 9781585670963, p.254
- ^ Bletch Chirguh, La Question Kurde: ses origines et ses causes, Le Caire, Impimerie Paul Barbey, 1930, front cover, IHSAN NOURI PACHA Généralissime des forces nationales Kurdes Template:Fr icon