List of Kurds

This is a list of well known Kurdish people. It includes poets, writers, historians, archaeologists, clerics, rulers, politicians and artists.

Poets and Writers

The following is a historical list of people who have contributed to the Kurdish-language literature.

1. Anushirwan Baghdadi, Early Islamic era Kurdish poet and writer from Arbil.
2. Ali Hariri (1009 – 1080), Kurdish poet.
3. Ahmade Bate (Ehmedê Batê ),(1417-1491), Kurdish poet and cleric, Hakkari region.
4. Malaye Jaziri (Melayê Cizîrî ),(1570-1640), Renowned Kurdish poet and sufi
5. Shamsaddin Brifkani, (1588-1674), Poet.
6. Faqi Tayran(Feqîyê Teyran),(1590-1660), Poet, Author of Sheik San'an and Battle of DimDim.
7. Ali Taramakhi (Elî Teremaxî ),(16th century), Linguist and writer.
8. Ahmad Khani (Ehmedê Xanî ),(1651-1707), Renowned Kurdish poet, Author of Mem û Zîn.
9. Khana Qubadi (Xana Qubadî ), (1700-1759), Kurdish poet, Author of Şîrîn û Xesrew.
10. Mahmud Bayazidi, (1797-1859), Kurdish writer, translator and historian.
11. Nali,(1797-1869), Kurdish poet.
12. Mastoura Ardalan,(1805 -1848), Kurdish poet and historiographer.
13. Mawlawi Tawagozi, (1806-1882), Kurdish poet and sufi.
14. Haji Qadir Koyi, (1817-1897), Kurdish poet.
15. Mahwi, (1830-1906), Kurdish poet and sufi.
16. Sheikh Rezza Talabani, (1835-1910), Kurdish poet from Kirkuk, Iraq.
17. Wafaei, (1844-1902), Kurdish poet, Mahabad, Iran.
18. Piramerd, (1867-1950), Kurdish poet, writer, novelist and journalist, Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan.
19. Muhamed Amin Zaki, (1880-1948), writer, historian and politician, Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan.
20. Taufiq Wahby, (1891-1984), Writer and Linguist, Iraq.
21. Jaladat Ali Badirkhan (Celadet Alî Bedirxan), (1893-1951), Linguist, Journalist and Politician, Founder of the Latin-based Kurdish alphabet.
22. Nuri Barzinji, (1896-1958), Poet, Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan.
23. Arab Shamilov (Erebê Şemo) (1897-1978), Kurdish writer and novelist in Armenia.
24. Rafiq Hilmi (1898-1960), Kurdish writer, literary analyst and politician, Iraq.
25. Cigerxwîn (or Cegerxwîn), (1903-1984) Kurdish poet and writer, Turkey/Syria.
26. Abdulla Goran, (1904-1962), Founder of the modern Kurdish Poetry.
27. Osman Sabri, (1905-1993), Kurdish poet, writer and journalist, Turkey/Syria.
28. Emînê Evdal, (1906-1964), Kurdish writer and linguist, Armenia.
29. Alaaddin Sajadi, (1907-1984), Kurdish writer, poet and academic, Iraqi Kurdistan.
30. Hecîyê Cindî, (1908-1990), Kurdish writer, linguist and researcher, Armenia.
31. Qanate Kurdo, (1909-1985), Kurdish writer, linguist and academic, Russia.
32. Qedrîcan, (1911-1972), Kurdish poet and writer, Turkey/Syria.
33. Ibrahim Ahmad, (1914-2000), Kurdish writer, novelist and translator, Iraqi Kurdistan/England.
34. Dildar, (Yonis Reuf), (1917-1948) Kurdish poet, Iraq
35. Hejar (Abdurrahman Sharafkandi), (1920-1990), Kurdish Poet, Writer, Translator and Linguist, Iran.
36. Hemin Mukriyani (Hêmin Mukriyanî ), (1921-1986), Kurdish Journalist and Poet, Iran.
37. Husein Muhammed (1980-) Kurdish writer, editor of the Kovara Mehname, translator
38. Ahmad Hardi, (1922-2006), Kurdish poet, Iraqi Kurdistan/UK.
39. Karim Hisami, (1926-2001), Kurdish writer, Iran/Iraq/Sweden.
40. Muhamad Salih Dilan, (1927-1990), One of the founders of modern Kurdish Poetry.
41. Shamil Asgarov, (1928-2005), a poet, researcher on the history and culture of the Kurds in Azerbaijan, Translator (translated Mem and Zin into Azerbaijani and wrote many dictionaries base on a format Azerbaijani-Kurdish-Azerbaijani)
42. Maruf Khaznadar, (1930- ), Academic and researcher, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.
43. Jamal Nebez, (1933- ), Writer, Linguist and Researcher in Germany.
44. Mehmed Emin Bozarslan, (1935- ), Kurdish writer in Sweden.
45. Celîlê Celîl, (1936- ), Historian and Kurdologist, Armenia/Austria.
46. Suwara Ilkhanizada, (1937-1976), Kurdish Poet, Iran.
47. Sherko Bekas, (1940- ), Famous Contemporary Kurdish Poet.
48. Eskerê Boyîk, (1941- ), Kurdish poet, Armenia/Germany.
49. Tosinê Reşîd, (1941- ), Kurdish writer, Armenia/Australia.
50. Mahmud Baksi, (1944-2001), Kurdish writer and journalist, Sweden.
51. Rauf Hassan, (1945- ) ,Kurdish writer and journalist, Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan.
52. Rojen Barnas, (1945- ), Kurdish poet and writer in Sweden.
53. Abdulla Pashew, (1946- ), Famous Contemporary Kurdish Poet.
54. Şahînê Bekirê Soreklî, (1946- ), Kurdish writer, poet and translator, Australia.
55. Reşo Zîlan, (1947- ), Kurdish writer, translator and linguist, Sweden.
56. Latif Halmat, (1947- ), Kurdish poet, Iraqi Kurdistan.
57. Keça Kurd, (1948- ), Poet, writer and linguist, Germany.
58. Cankurd,(1948- ), Kurdish writer and poet, Germany.
59. Têmûrê Xelîl, (1949 - ), translator and journalist, Sweden.
60. Zaradachet Hajo, (1950- ), Kurdish linguist and academic, Head of the Kurdish PEN, Germany.
61. Rafiq Sabir, (1950- ), Kurdish poet, Sweden.
62. Farhad Shakely, (1951- ), poet, writer and academic, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
63. Khalil Duhoki, (1951- ), Kurdish writer, poet, Sweden.
64. Khalil Rashow, (1952- ), Kurdish writer and academic, University of Göttingen, Germany.
65. Mehmed Uzun, (1953-2007), Writer and Novelist, Turkey/Sweden.
66. Jalal Barzanji, (1953- ), Writer, Poet and Journalist, Canada.
67. Fawaz Hussain,(1953- ), Writer and translator, France.
68. Zeynelabidin Zinar,(1953- ), Kurdish writer , researcher and specialist in Kurdish folklore in Sweden.
69. Yekta Uzunoglu, (1953- ), Kurdish writer, translator and entrepreneur, Czech Republic/Germany.
70. Najiba Ahmad, (1954- ), Kurdish writer and poet, Iraq/Iran.
71. Perwîz Cîhanî, (1955- ), Kurdish writer, poet and novelist, Switzerland.
72. Lokman Polat, (1956- ), Kurdish writer and novelist, Sweden.
73. Hesenê Metê, (1957- ), Kurdish writer, novelist and translator, Sweden.
74. Mustafa Aydogan, (1957- ), Writer, novelist and translator, Sweden.
75. Firat Cewerî, (1959- ) ,Kurdish writer, translator and journalist, Sweden.
76. Serdar Roşan, (1959- ), Writer, poet and translator, Sweden.
77. Ata Nahai, (1960- ), Writer and novelist, Iran.
78. Farhad Pirbal, (1961- ), Kurdish writer and academic, Iraqi Kurdistan.
79. Enwer Karahan, (1962- ), Writer of short stories, Sweden.
80. Nazand Begikhani,(1964- ), Kurdish writer, poet and researcher, UK.
81. Mahabad Qaradaghi, (1966- ), Kurdish writer, poet and translator, Sweden.
82. Kajal Ahmad, (1967- ), Kurdish poet, writer and journalist, Iraqi Kurdistan.
83. Choman Hardi, (1974- ), Kurdish poet, researcher and painter, UK.
84. Rênas Jiyan,Kurdish poet Kurdistan
85. Gulnar Elî,(1974-)Kurdish writer, poet, USA, Boston
86. Kovan Sindî,(1965-)Kurdish writer and poet,Aarhus,Denmark
87. Jan Dost,(1965-)Kurdish writer, Germany
88. Helîm Yusiv,(1967-)Kurdish writer, Germany

Academics & Researchers

1. Al-Dinawari, (828 - 889) botanist, historian, and Muslim theologian.
2. Al-Shahrazuri, 13th century physician and philosopher.
3. Abu al-Fida, 13-14th century historian and geographer.
4. Nadir Nadirov, (1932- ), Vice president of Engineering Academy and Member of Academy of Sciences, Kazakhstan.
5. Yona Sabar, (1938- ), Kurdish-Jewish scholar and linguist, USA.
6. Amir Hassanpour, (1943- ), Kurdish scholar and researcher, Canada.
7. Abbas Vali, (1950- ), Political Scientist, UK/Iraqi Kurdistan.
8. Dlawer Ala'Aldeen, (1960- ), Kurdish Academic, physician, lobbyist, political writer, UK.
9. Edip Yuksel, (1957- ), Kurdish/American writer and activist, Bitlis/Istabul/Tucson, USA.
10. Hashim Ahmadzadeh, (1961- ), Kurdish writer, translator and academician, UK.
11. Saad Eskander, (1962- ), Academic and researcher, director of the Iraq National Library and Archive, Iraq/UK.
12. Mehrdad Izady, (1962- ), Academic and historian, USA.

Musicians

Main article: List of Kurds in music

1. Eli Esxer Kurdistani, 1882 - 1937، singer, Iran
2. Karapete Xaco,(1902-2005), musician and dengbêj, Armenia.
3. Ali Merdan, (1904-1981), singer, Iraq.
4. Hasan Zirak, (1921-1972), singer, Iran.
5. Mamle, (1925-1999), musician and singer, Iran.
6. Tahir Tewfiq, (1922-1987), musician and singer, Iraq.
7. Ayşe Şan, (1938-1996), singer, Turkey.
8. Mazhar Xaliqi,(1939- ), musician singer, Iran/UK.
9. Tehsin Taha, (1941- 1995) musician and singer.
10. İbrahim Tatlıses,(1952- ), singer, Turkey.
11. Şivan Perwer, (1955- ), singer, Turkey/Germany.
12. Nizamettin Arıç, (1956- ), singer, composer and director, Turkey/Germany.
13. Ciwan Haco, (1957- ), musician, singer and songwriter, Syria/Norway.
14. Ali Akbar Moradi, (1957- ), musician and composer, Iran.
15. Ahmet Kaya, (1957-2000), Musician, Turkey
16. Merziye Feriqi, (1958-2005), singer, Iran/Sweden.
17. Tara Jaff, (1958- ), Musician and singer, UK.
18. Dilshad Said, (1958- ), Musician and Composer, Austria.
19. Adnan Karim, (1963- ), singer, Kirkuk/Sulaimaniya, Iraq.
20. Gani Mirzo, (1968- ), Musician, Syria/Spain.
21. Şehrîbana Kurdî, (1973- ), singer, Turkey.
22. Rojhan Beken, (1974- ), singer and composer of Rock music, Turkey.
23. Aynur Doğan, (1975- ), singer, Turkey.
24. Rojda Aykoç, (1978- ), singer and dengbêj, Turkey.
25. Darin Zanyar, (1987- ), pop singer, Sweden.
26. Qale Mere, traditional musician, Iran/Iraq.
27. Kamkars, a family of leading Kurdish musicians
28. Shahram Nazeri, singer, Iran.
29. Zara, singer, Russia
30. Azad, singer, Germany.

Religious Figures

1. Jaban Sahabi, (6/7th AD), companion of Muhammad.
2. Ali ibn al-Athir, (1160-1233), Kurdish/Islamic historian, born in Jazira (Cizîre) region.
3. Ibn Khallikan, (1211-1282), Muslim judge and author of a classic Arabic
4. Safi-ad-din Ardabili (1252-1334) eponym of the Safavid dynasty.
5. Ibn Taymiyyah, (1263-1328), Islamic scholar, Harran, Turkey.
6. Asenath Barzani (1590-1670), The first Jewish woman Rabbi in history, Mosul, Iraq.
7. Hadhrat Mawlânâ Khâlid-i Baghdâdî (1779 - 1827), founder of a significant branch of the Naqshbandi Sufi order - named Khalidiyya after him
8. Mulla Effendi, (1863 - December 31, 1942), Islamic philosopher, scholar, astronomer, politician, and a prominent Iraqi personality from Erbil, Iraq.
9. Said Nursi,(1876-1960), Kurdish Islamic thinker, Turkey.
10. Hajj Nematollah, (1871-1919), mystic and poet.
11. Nur Ali Elahi, (1895-1974), Spiritual leader of the Ahl-e Haqq religion, Iran.
12. Daniel Ali, (1959- ), Convert to Christianity, scholar, theologian and author, USA.

Politicians

1. Abdullah Öcalan, (1949-) former PKK leader (Kurdish politician, Kurds refer to him as The Sun also he is the great leader of the Kurds.
2. Kemal Burkay, (1937- )Kurdish politician and founder of Kurdistan Socialist Party, Turkey
3. Shaikh Mahmood Barzenji, (1878-1956) First King of Kurdistan and leader of the Kurdish nationalist movement in Iraq.
4. Simko Shikak, (1887-1930) Kurdish politician.
5. Qazi Muhammad, (1893-1947) President of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946.
6. Mustafa Barzani,(1903-1979) Kurdish leader and founder of KDP
7. Kaka Ziad Agha, (1914-1991) Co-Founder and vice president of KDP. Twice Iraqi MP in 50's
8. Ramzi Nafie Rasheed Agha, (1917-1949) Hiwa Parti operative and revelotionist.
9. Moshe Barazani, (1928-1947), Kurdish Jew and a member of Lehi (The Freedom Fighters of Israel).
10. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou (1930-1989), Kurdish politician, Iran.
11. Jalal Talabani, (1933- ), Prominent Iraqi Kurdish politician, current President of Iraq and secretary general of PUK.
12. Medet Serhat, (1934-1994), Kurdish lawyer and politician, Turkey.
13. Sadeq Sharafkandi, (1938-1992), Kurdish politician , Iran.
14. Mahmoud Othman, (1938- ), Founder and former Secretary General of the Kurdish Socialist Party. Now a member of parliament.
15. Dr. Muhammed Sharif Ahmed (1932 - ): Now member of Iraqi Parliament.
16. Nawshirwan Mustafa, (1944- ), Deputy secretary general of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
17. Latif Rashid, (1944- ) Kurdish Politician, Iraqi Minister of Water.
18. Mustafa Hijri, (1945- ), Secretary General of Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).
19. Massoud Barzani, (1946- ) is the President of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
20. Jalal Dabagh, (1939- ), Kurdish politician, Iraq. Kurdistan Communist Party-Iraq
21. Shahab Sheikh Nuri, (1932-1976), Founder of the Komalay Ranjdaran Party.
22. Leyla Qasim, (1952-1974) Kurdish Politician and Peshmarga.
23. Abdul Karim Qassim, 1958–1963, First President of Iraq, Kurdish mother.
24. Barham Salih, (1960- ) Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq. Also a senior member of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
25. Soraya Serajeddini, (1960-2006), Kurdish human rights activist, United States.
26. Leyla Zana,(1961- ), Human-rights activist and the first Kurdish woman MP in Turkey. Winner of Sakharov Prize in 1995.
27. Roya Toloui,(1966- ), Kurdish journalist and human rights activist, Iran.
28. Nechervan Idris Barzani,(1966- ) Current Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraqi Kurdistan.
29. Nalin Pekgul,(1967- ) Former member of Swedish Parliament.
30. Widad Akrawi, (1969- ), Activist and Chair of Defend International, Iraq/Denmark.
31. Osman Baydemir,(1971- ) Current mayor of Diyarbakır, Turkey.
32. Herro Mustafa, (1973- ) Diplomat, Senior advisor on the Middle East to Vice President Biden, US.
33. Houzan Mahmoud, (1973- ) Women rights and anti-war activist, UK.
34. Sebahat Tuncel, (1975- ) Women rights activist and Istanbul MP in Turkey's Parliament, Turkey.
35. Feleknas Uca,(1976- ) Yazidi-Kurd and MEP for the left German Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS).
36. Idris Barzani, (?-1987)former prime minister of the Kurdish Autonomous Region
37. Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon and leader of the Druze community (of Kurdish ancestry).
38. Ferho Derwich, chairman of Kurdish Institute Brussels
39. Rowsch Shaways, Former vice president of Iraq in the interim government of 2004 and Parliament speaker in the KRG.

Film Directors and Actors

1. Yilmaz Güney, (1937-1984), Turkey.
2. Hiner Saleem, (1964- ), France.
3. Bahman Ghobadi, (1969- ), Iran.
4. Jamil Rostami, (1971- ), Iran.
5. Amira Casar, (1971- ), France.
6. Hisham Zaman, (1974- ), Norway.

Others

1. Firuz Shah Zarrin Kolah, Kurdish dignitary and a great ancestor of Safavids in Iran.
2. Sherefxan Bidlisi, (1543 - 1599) historian and poet, author of Sharafnama in Persian.
3. Yaşar Kemal, (1923-), Kurdish writer and novelist who wrote in Turkish, Turkey.
4. Nusrat Bhutto, (1929- )former first lady of Pakistan
5. Rizgar Mohammed Amin, (1958- ), Chief Judge of the Iraqi Special Tribunal setup to judge Saddam Hussein.
6. Zagros Amiri Bigvand, (1978- ), Kurdish / Millionaire Entrepreneur who starred in the reality show The Millionaire Matchmaker and is a direct descendent of the dynasty of Koliai.
7. İbrahim Halil Baran, (1981- ), Kurdish / Turkish poet, writer and designer, Ruha (Urfa).
8. [[Salaheddin al-Ayoubi: was a Kurdish[2][3] Muslim who became the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He led Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant. At the height of his power, he ruled over Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Hejaz, and Yemen. He led the Muslims against the Crusaders and eventually recaptured Palestine from the Kingdom of Jerusalem after his victory in the Battle of Hattin. As such, he is a notable figure in Kurdish, Arab, Turkish, Persian, and Muslim culture. Saladin was a strict practitioner of Sunni Islam. His generally chivalrous behavior was noted by Christian chroniclers, especially in the accounts of the siege of Kerak in Moab, and despite being the nemesis of the Crusaders he won the respect of many of them, including Richard the Lionheart; rather than becoming a hated figure in Europe, he became a celebrated example of the principles of chivalry, a rare distinction for a non-Christian. ( See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saladin for more details)