City of Moorhead and the City of Zakho unite together with a friendship proclamation

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A year and a half in the making, the city of Moorhead has brought together a friendship proclamation between the city of Moorhead and Zakho, more than 6,000 miles away.

“When you have something that’s more intentional in a way that writes it on a piece of paper that we’re both signing it, both of the mayors from the two communities. There’s an intentionality behind it. It makes it more of a permanent type of an exchange versus just a conversation on the phone or through Zoom,” said Mayor Shelly Carlson, Moorhead.

Zakho city officials made their way to Minnesota State University-Moorhead to get a taste of Minnesota culture.

In Moorhead, an estimated 3,500 Kurdish people call the city home, making it the largest Kurdish community in the state.

“In Moorhead, we are proud of the rich diversity that shapes our city. In fact, today more than eight percent of our population is Kurdish. And it’s a number that continues to grow and strengthen our community. You’re our neighbors, our colleagues, our business owners,” said Carlson.

The proclamation between the two cities and the university opens up opportunities for both to share in each other’s cultures.

“This is a very, very unique event. Hopefully, for the future plans that we share together, both city of Moorhead and Zakho city will have plans for the education, culture, and agriculture, tourism sector, even business. So, we will try to have sharing our both sides from Zakho and even Moorhead,” said Guhdar Sheekhoo, Head of the Zakho Independent Administration.

Sheekhoo hopes that in the future, the president of MSUM and Mayor Carlson can visit Zakho and take in the sights and culture they have to offer.

The people of Zakho will be visiting the Detroit Lakes area to share in the festivities of the Fourth of July.