Moorhead Frienship Delegation makes new connections in Kurdistan

Moorhead, Minn. (KVRR) – A delegation from Moorhead is returning home with new friends and new perspectives after a trip to Zakho, Kurdistan.

Over the course of their trip, the group visited with the people of Kurdistan, including one shop owner who opened up late to allow the group to get traditional Kurdish clothing ahead of their meeting with the President of Kurdistan.

Kurdistan has been striving for independence since the time of the Ottoman Empire, with a diverse mix of religious and cultural groups making up nearly 47 million people.

And after the delegation landed back in Moorhead, the State Department announced that they would be building the largest consulate in the world in Kurdistan.

For the delegation, it’s a sign of growing recognition for the Kurdish people, and a testament to the friendships that have been built since Moorhead signed a Friendship Proclamation with the Zakho in July.

“I didn’t think it was going to get so big. There’s so many people interested from our city here in Fargo-Moorhead who are interested in the Kurdistan region. They want to travel there, we’re looking into investors, trainings, sharing ideas, culture. At first I thought it was just going to be a friendship where we had a little connection here or there, but it has turned into something really big.”

Brifki adds that this trip, and the connections built have meant so much to the local Kurdish community.