Between Kurdistan and Egypt, lessons and examples

Serwan Zangana | Exclusive to iKurd.net

Can the Kurds have an effective uprising to remove Barzani’s family from power?

As Cairo Opera House is embracing another art and music festival between the months of June and July, it is bringing a new wave of creativity from the Egyptian artists and musicians, which adds more treasures to Egypt’s culture and continues the long journey of innovation. The everyday art galleries and music performances are taking every mind to a higher level to see the imaginations and the creativities of the Egyptians that show the world the relationship between arts and music and the greatest civilization that derived from the land of Egypt.

During the visit to Egypt and following the work of such talented guys and girls, one can feel a vivid life of each artwork and music performance that touches the human soul and sends a message of love, agony, suffering, loss, and hope for humanity. It is the great Egyptian creativity with its uniqueness that no others in the world can compete with.

Among the everyday surprises and creative activities of the art shows and music performances, Cairo Opera House enriched itself with hosting the iconic and famous actor Hussein Fahmy, who is one of the shining stars in the sky of the Egyptian cinema and an ambassador of the Egyptian theater which became the leader of the Arab theater. On June 22, Hussein Fahmy was hosted by the Minister of Culture, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano and attended by an intellectual audience to listen to the ample experience of the long journey of Mr. Fahmy in theater.

The relationship between the fine art or visual art and theater was the main topic of the forum as the two are in a complete interaction to relay a message to the audience. However, Mr. Hussein explained to the attendees how the theater or indeed the movie is a moving visual art through the colors of the decorations and clothes and the purpose of choosing them in a specific way and color.

However, the humble personality of Mr. Fahmy has impressed the entire attendees of the forum as his explanation of such an important relationship between fine art and theater brightened many corners for people to see how movies are made. Also, Mr. Fahmy’s knowledge about the technology in theater, explaining its involvement in movies and creating backgrounds and decorations on the screen through the technological effect gave the attendees a clear vision to see a new era of movie making.

Obviously, through the Egyptian movies and iconic actors such as Hussein Fahmy, the world in general and the Arab nations in specific were introduced to Egyptian culture, art, social life, and the relationship of human beings.

As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Egypt became a path of creativity, and it is continuing to bring creative generations and pass them on to the next. Understanding Egypt is understanding civility, life, thrive, and the definition of humanity. The Egyptians generally are quoting that their land is protected by God, it has been mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran. However, aside from theological beliefs, it will not be an exaggeration to say that a journey to Egypt is a journey of life.

Sharing some Egyptians’ political perspectives

Egypt’s ex-President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak, 2008. Photo: Creative Commons/World Economic Forum (WEF)

Indeed, the Egyptians were fed up with former President Hosni Mubarak’s corruption, police brutality, and many other reasons, which led to the January 25, 2011, revolution. Tahrir Square in Cairo as the Egyptians call it a “revolutionary Square” was the center for the protesters to rise up against Mubarak and he subsequently stepped down. This event became an opportunity for Muslim Brotherhood to take power as Mohamed Morsi was elected as President in 2012.

It did not take very long for Muslim Brotherhood to show their true color and attempt to turn the wheel and shift the system to be completely ruled by Islamic law. Obviously, such an attempt was an alarming sign which worried many Egyptians, especially the Christians. It is noteworthy that the Coptic Christian is the majority Christian in Egypt and it was the dominant religion before Islam.

Former Egyptian president of Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Morsi, 2013. Photo: Creative Commons/wikimedia

Therefore, the outrage and anger over Morsi’s attempt drove people to protest which sparked another revolution. Apparently, as the Egyptian military sided with the protesters, in July of 2013, Morsi was ousted. A young man by name Shakir, who is a Coptic Christian said that during Morsi’s Presidency the country was completely lacking in security, and people had to establish vigilante committees and work rotating shifts to guard their neighborhoods.

In 2014, Egypt held another election and General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi was elected as President.

The Egyptians believe that Al Sisi has been able to handle the ongoing critical situation of Egypt in keeping the country on an unbiased side to avoid conflicts with Israel or the U.S and not allowing the removal of the Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi December 6, 2024. Photo: Scanpix/via Reuters

“The idea of displacing Palestinians cannot be tolerated or allowed, given its impact on Egypt’s national security.” Al Sisi said. To be noted that earlier this year, the U.S President Donald Trump suggested to clean out Gaza and relocate its people to Egypt and Jordan.

Al Sisi is also facing a critical responsibility which is preventing the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis from intervening in the government’s departments and spreading radicalism which is a threat to the security of Egypt and the rights of the non-Muslim Egyptians. However, people believe that there are many members of the Muslim Brotherhood among the education system but they are inactive waiting for the moment to operate. Apparently, Radical Islam, regardless of its sect is always a threat to the national security of the secular system of any nation.

Between Kurdistan and Egypt, lessons and examples

Since the first election in Iraqi Kurdistan Region in 1992, the political power and the economic resources have mainly been in hand of the (KDP) while Barzani’s family has been dominating the most important positions in the government.

The family’s control of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and its grip on the power and wealth of the region has become a cascading disaster for people. Along with corruption, the brutality and suppression of the security forces of Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have brought fear to the people of Kurdistan.

Evidently, Massoud Barzani and his family members have distanced themselves from the People of Kurdistan, and in fact their intolerance and rejection to people’s rights to protest, criticize, or oppose the government are paving the path to a dictatorship.

Kurdish journalist Sardasht Osman assassinated in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2010 for his scathing articles against Massoud Barzani. Photo: SM

Based on many witnesses in Erbil that mentioning Barzani negatively can result in loss of life or imprisonment. Obviously killing the young journalist, Sardasht Osman for criticizing Massoud Barzani in 2010, is an example of a heinous act and closed-mindedness of those who are ruling Kurdistan.

The ongoing political crisis in Kurdistan bodes ill, which can clearly be observed through the murder of journalists.

In Kurdistan, Democracy and freedom of speech were slaughtered by the (KDP)’s security forces. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), on February 9, 2025, the security forces in Degala, the area controlled by the (KDP), assaulted 12 journalists covering the teachers’ peaceful protest as they were heading to Erbil City demanding their salary. On the same day, 2 journalists were arrested and 22 teargassed, according to (CPJ)

After all, the Iraqi Kurds must realize that Barzani’s family is unable to govern the region and understand people’s suffering. The removal of Barzani’s family from the power and establishing an independent committee comprising sophisticated, reputable, independent members to run the government is the first significant step to be completed, and second is the preparation for a new election for President and Prime Minister.

But the questions are: What does it take to remove Barzani and his family members from power? Can an uprising similar to the Egyptians’ January 2011 be effective to remove Barzani?

In fact, the (KDP) armed forces are more loyal to Barzani than to the people of Kurdistan, and unless they align with people, it is unlikely to see an effective uprising in Kurdistan. All in all, when the armed forces of (KDP) stand with people, the effective uprising can sweep Erbil and remove Barzani’s family from power.

Serwan Zangana, a contributing writer for iKurd.net, lives in Virginia, U.S. He serves as a correction officer.

The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of iKurd.net or its editorial team.