1185 PICS

An Invisible Nation: Documenting Kurdish Culture from Western and Local Perspectives

My dream assignment would be to work in the Kurdish regions of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran to tell the story of the largest culture in the world without a country.

What I propose is to document the experience of the Kurdish people across the Middle East through the use of photography, as well as multimedia storytelling, citizen journalism, and thorough, unbiased reporting.

Kurds have lived for decades under extreme hardships. In Syria, there are more than 200,000 Kurds who have been denied citizenship and are officially recognized as stateless by the United Nations. According to the Minorities at Risk Project at the University of Maryland, "Syria has an Arabization policy that does not allow Kurds to practice their culture. The Kurdish language, holidays, marriage and right to organization are restricted."

Iraq, a country torn apart by war, has nonetheless found itself a refuge for tens of thousands of Kurds fleeing persecution in bordering countries. The overall refugee situation in this country has led the United Nations to declare that it is the largest urban refugee crisis in history.

I have been photographing the Kurdish people of Southeast Turkey for four consecutive summers, and in 2008 I crossed the border into Northern Iraq for the first time. Almost immediately after crossing I met a young Kurdish man from Syria working at a local rest stop. He told us about the harsh conditions in the refugee camp that he and his family had been forced to live in for over four years; about the mass riots that broke out in Syria in 2004 which resulted in the deaths of scores of Kurds; about how these riots forced his family to flee their home. My fixer and I immediately decided to take a detour to visit these people in the Moqoble refugee camp outside of Dohuk. What we found were a forgotten people living permanently in tents provided by the UNHCR that were meant to be only temporary. We saw women waiting anxiously for a truck to deliver fresh food. And yet the Kurdish colors still hung high and the people, as always, were quick to invite us into their humble homes to offer us whatever hospitality they could provide. I did not have the proper paperwork yet to photograph within the perimeters of the Kurdish Regional Government so I was not able to stay long or properly record the stories of the many Kurds I met. The security guard on-duty, however, turned his back for five minutes, solely because he himself felt the story of these people needed to be told.

While in Iraq, I conducted a two-week multimedia workshop through the Tiziano Project for Kurdish high school students in Northern Iraq. The Tiziano Project is a not-for-profit organization that empowers youth in cultures that often go under-represented in mainstream media by teaching them technology and journalism skills. During the workshop, I helped my students create multimedia content that was later used by CNN.

If I win Microsoft's Dream Assignment Contest, I would use the money and technology provided by Microsoft to photograph the Kurdish experience throughout the region, while also working with local people to help them tell their own stories, from their own perspective.

The money would also support a female print journalist to accompany me. Her role would be not only to write about Kurdish culture and experience, but also to work with female students who may be reluctant to communicate freely with a Western male. Our combined skills in writing and in photography would allow us to develop a comprehensive look at the Kurdish culture from a Western perspective. But being able to teach both young men and women how to tell their own stories through visual, text, and digital media will empower the local youth while allowing us to develop a 360 degree look at the Kurdish culture from the outside in.

Rank: 2

275 Comments

FatherJohn

Very well done, sir! I liked your other dream, too, but this has real punch! Bringing a female journalist is genius. I had a friend who spent a year teaching English in Kurdistan. He and his wife loved the people very much. May you find success in all you do. My vote is my support for you.

julesbinder

This sounds like an amazing project. How cool - teaching refugees to use media to tell their own stories!!? I want this idea to win!

BreeK

You have my vote... please return the favor!

willbaxter

Just saw an interesting book on the Kurds at Borders. Check it out. I also voted for you though. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project on Zimbabwe.

KurdishAso

Very interesting project!
I hope you fulfil your dream

jmf72

This is a great project!

victorious515

This is a superb idea and the strategy is so well-thought out and thorough! Cheers to great plans to better humanity!

metino84

you have my vote too

FeridKurdi

Good luck, you have my vote.

Newroz

Good luck!

Hajiq

Good luck Heval. May God be with you!

Salan

Good luck on your effort to raise awareness.

sarkan

You have my vote as well as everyone I know. Good Luck in your project.

azadea

I would like tell you thanks alot ,Good luck in your project.

joannaz

Please pass this site to ur friends, so everyone else can vote for him.

Memyan

Good job bro...you have my vote...Congratulations for this great project and Good Luck...

dgkurd

Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!

eagl

you got my vote too, good luck with your project

kurdi

Heey..
You got my vote too. and good luck wiht your project.

Darasor

Ji dil û can, sipas bo te ey hewalê Kurdan - camêr û axa!

From heart and soul, thanks be to you, oh friend of Kurds - good and noble!

Best wishes for you from the mountains of Kurdistan - Colemêrg...

Hero1

Good luck :-)

aryqaraman

good luck

mikexuereb

Your idea sounds good, the judges will like yours if you reach the final.
the judges are mostly documentary photographers which is not to my favour.. coz my project is conceptual. I really believe in my project but i don't think it'll do well with the judges.

anyway.. good luck

Lanooni

You have my vote, and i have forwarded the message to over 600 ppl. Keep up the good work sir.

Good Luck!

k4life

Gooood Lucck! :D

Kani

Good luck :)

larakoye

u have my vote..i hope u win ...good luck

sami

Here is a vote from me :)
Good luck!

didi_girl

Good luck!

didi_girl

u have my vote 2

pava

you have my vote

FilaKurdistani

Wish you the best of luck

KURD_D

You got my vote i love this projest.
Have a good luck from me and from eveyone else

Neshloke

Good luck.

KawaMemari

Best of luck to you sir. You have got my vote!

Abubu

GOOOOOOOOOOD LUCCKKKKKK!!! =D

chenerbrothers

We need This project to succeed. Ensha-Allah. Best of luck.

kurd4ever

wonderful work! inshallah you win and keep up the beautiful work!

ako

Good luck, and thank you.

kamirandizayee

I hope you will win and wish you all the best with the good work you do in Kurdistan.

mohannads18

Wish you luck

Saberspeed

It's a great thing you're doing for the Kurds and you have my full support.

azatas

You have my full support!! It would be great to let us know the result!!

wanig1

good luck

zell

Good luck

DZ

Another Vote....Good Luck, Hope You Succeed....

sana

hello
you have my vote
hopefully u succeed
regards

Nuhi

Yaay! This is exciting! Awesome project! You know you have my vote ;)

kowstan_

Goog luck =)

gerdelul

I vote for this project
Thanks

Serok

Bijî Kurd Bijî Kurdistan

jhb255

Great Idea

hawar_shawki

Go for it dude!

supritaks

hi mate, i'm a fan of your vision, so i'm voting for u!
do an awesome job and win - not only the competition, but your personal goals too.
all the best!

diggirl

I'm behind you 100% "Little Chicken!"

camran

Good luck :)

Ritus

Good luck!!!!I wish all the best!!!

flehesinkar

Serkeftin ji Kek Jon re. Spas Jon

Abager

good luck

Lanooni

Please don't mind ignorant human beings that do not see the greater picture and fail to realise what you are doing for the Kurdish youth/people.

I praise your work Vidar, and i wish you the absolute best!

Thank you!

mopol

You Deserve Votes, I try to collect votes for you.

R23

i voted for u and i'll try to collect vote for u
but u have to not forget why these people are voting for u

Reko0o

good luck

saraway88

best wishes

soso

I also voted for you.Good luck

Nej

Good luck, I support you with all my heart, being myself Kurd your project touches me a lot;).

challi

good luck, i am voting for you, becouse this peple been suffared alot under iraqi,turkey,iran,syrian regiames.kurds face genocide,not just there people also languages,ecology.gegraphy,history during history been deny by this regimes.kurds deserve to live free like all nations,

kurd9999

You have my vote..good luck !! :)

brez

Well said. Good luck!

mare_nostrum

neither kürdistan nor death

anatu

Top idea!!!!!

cathym176

Wishing you every success!

The_Lord

Hi Jon, I've already voted, and found 200 people 4 vote d project, but d thin' is they don't know Engish so I'm try to help 'em 4 how 2 register. Good Luck Bro!

bhoopie

Sure hope you win, these people have been through hell!

xelef

best of luck!

rojda

you have my vote. best of luck ;)

Rebeen

Hi Jonathan,
If you do win, please let me know how can I help you! I will be back soon to Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). My email is [email protected]
Wish you the best

RaterXKurdo

Wonderful Project...keep it up!!! we are all for Kurds and Kurdistan

BIJI FREE KURDISTAN

arandzayee

you've got my vote for sure and all the best to you

arizuzis

good luck buddy.

Anahit

Great going Jon! Good luck and have a rewarding time working on this project.

DDogan

Your genuine work is greatly appreciated and supported...

Shivan

Great!

mwlights

Hope it wins Jon
-Morrow

uarda

best of luck!

danielafromsicily

Long Live Kurdistan and Kurds!

joshovercast

I and one of my students at the University of Kurdistan-Hawler in Erbil just forwarded your E-mail to over 100 people generally enthusiastic about spreading news regarding all things Kurdish, so hopefully you'll get a bunch more votes soon! Good luck!

sarhadhopeful

good luck im one of the students that josh sent the email and I personlay will send it to others wish u best

kurdonya

u have my vote ,,, i hope u best wishes

helo

Great
Hi,
I would like tell you thanks a lot.....

davehopwood

Hey Jon, good luck. I'll take that free bed in Turkey...although don't we need the mats for the lounge. Bahh bahh choke choke die

erdalkose

good luck

carboneau

This sounds phenomenal- you've obviously put so much energy into the project already.
I truly hope your dream comes true, for you and for the Kurdish people in need of their story being told!

lorin1990

Goodluck!!!!

nazhad_dizayee

you have my vote have a good luck and best wishes

jvarley

Go Jon! You have my vote and all good wishes.

amedeus

You got my vote! Long live the friends of Kurdistan :-)

ranjm

good luck

Silove

Good luck!

martpatt71

Best Of Luck

sanaz2231

Good Luck

hiwa

good luck and to every friends of kurds and kurdistan
wish you every success

taziadoski

You got my vote and good luck!!

kurdouz

my vote too gooooooooooooood luck

red67

thank you sir, and please show the world why we are so proud of our country.

Miroo

as a young and proud Kurdish man,first of all,i wish the best for my big nation,Kurds...i hope that it would be a success story and a key for the other projects...

dizayee

you got my vote....good luck

jamierps

Good Luck Jon!

Nako_85

We support you Mr. Vidar, good luck!

Bji Kurdistan:)

erandi

good luck! let me know how it goes! :)

zana1202000

you have my vote and wish you a good luck with your nice idea and project.

alanmerdin

Excellent project. You got my vote. I hope it will win. Good luck!

kocer

Keep it up bro. U got my vote.

Her biji Jon Vidar, kurd u Kurdistan;)

ptarone

Good Luck Jon! Your pictures are always inspiring and thought-provoking, keep up the amazing work.

Amine

Hi,

This is amazing to read, as I'm in middle of working on a similar project about Kurdish culture(nice to know that there are people who feel the same way):-)!...perhaps we could exchange some ideas?

All the best with the project!

Amine

sorayafallah

I wish you luck
Soraya

Edip

You might find useful information in my article titled "Yes, I am a Kurd". It was published by a law school in the USA. It is published at www.yuksel.org/e/law
Good luck. Peace,
Edip Yuksel

JiyanaAzad

Good luck, Jon.

giachett

Best off luck Jon! I'm sure you would make good use of that grant money.

Efrini

God Bless You, wonderful job, I wish you a good luck
Ihsan Efrini-Canada

wedeath

I have only registered in order to vote for you...This is not only a competition for us... This project will be sound of Kurds...Good luck..
All the best... Vedat / Istanbul

Reving

Good Luck

I vote for you

Mohammed /CS

billy79g

Hope you make it Jon......wish you all the best
Vasilis/Athens

smahmoud

Good luck you have got my vote, any friend of Mr. Kamiran Dizayee is our friend.

saeedjaro

I vote for you

kdizyee

Good Luck

Dlear

I like the idea, you got my vote, GOOD LUCK.

bfaris

I hope you will win

NTRS

gud luck sir!!u hav my vote........

perwdizayee

Good luck i vote for you

HusseinAdizayee

I wish you much success,and good luck.

zahir

Go on brother, document our culture and make us known to the whole world of who we are and what we do. Keep us posted

ericamcd

Go Jon go!!!

anonj84

this is truly an amazing idea and proposal.

I have voted for you and will tell as many people as I can.

Thank you very much for wanting to help my people

isabelladesanta

Jon is the best photographer that Brazil has already received! hehehe :D

Kurdi1986

What a wonderful idea. I love it and you have my vote. Good luck and thank you!

cbeasley

Bon chance!

nansie

I like this project idea because you are not trying to tell it simply from a Western perspective. My project Kashmir Cross Culture is collaborative as well. Best of luck, nancy (ls member)

chirita

good luck Jon

metino89

Bijî Kurdistan

ciwano2121

this is not just 1 vote, this is almost 50 millions vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!it is very nice project... we wanna ur victory....good luck....

hellboy

im voting cuz CRAZYMOGS told me,
anyway anyway ! Good luck !

hellboy

can i vote twice ?

hellboy

well thats nice, then ill vote for half hour :p

hellboy

vote For him, he'll make Kurdistan Heaven !

hellboy

playa i voted cuz CRAZYMOGS told me ,
you must thank her

kassimdizayee

i Can't wait to see the finished project. Good luck man

jvidar

Sorry Hellboy! No voting twice! It would get me disqualified. THank you for your vote though!

Danger

This is a most deserving project. May the world be inspired by your commitment.

joan25

I very passionately support this!
I have a few Kurdish friends who have suffered very severely
under the Iraqi, Turksih, Syrian and Iranian governments and I think
it's necessary for the world to see these mistreatments as well.

thumbelina

Good luck! Jon

gbeebani

What a wonderful dream! those people are truly underrepresented and I really hope that you will win. Good luck!

Carla84

U rock man :D..

U have my vote

Sum

I really love your idea.
Even the Kurds in The Netherlands support you!

Sum

I really love your idea.
Even the Kurds in The Netherlands support you!

koerdjenl

You've got my vote too!!

You have a noble dream! I hope you will win!
If not, then don't let it stop you for fulfilling your dream!!

Good luck from a proud Kurd =)

kurdican

We support you!

qaandil

good luck with your project wish u success

kurdgirlszz

oooh that's amazing:D good luck.. And i wish you the best with your project

greetz a proud Kurdgirl

kasaw

eeyy he must be under the 20

and hes rank 23 :(
everybody vote!!!

good luck

KakHiwa

Excellent!
Thank you for supporting kurdish culture!
All the best wishes for a lucky winning!

RZ

Excellent Job!

Thank you for supporting our land, culture, and Histrory!

We love you!

Biji Kurdistan!
Biji PKK!

lam a kurd from south of Kurdistan (Iraqi-Kurdistan)

Biji=Longlive

semillaslibres

Hi, Jon:

I saw your plea on LS, I, too am an LS member though I didn´t get on the list that Erica posted. I think you have a lovely project there, and I wish you luck. I like the way you structured it.

azad123

you got all our support

sforeman

Good Luck Jon!!
steph

aassdd

good luck!
/zaxo

splanky

Do it, Do it!

chirita

Go Jon go...good luk

jvidar

I want to thank everyone that has already voted. We still are not done, but my family, friends, coworkers, friends of friends, and, most of all, the Kurdish community, thank you.

jvidar

My goal is to collaborate with Kurds throughout Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran to tell the story of a culture that I have come to love so much. The overwhelming Kurdish support proves that this project can and should become a reality.

jvidar

I also want to address the political commentary posted. My goal is to tell the story of the Kurdish culture. This is not a political project. The politics of the region are complicated and multilayered, but your culture and the Kurdish spirit is so strong that your story will shine through.

londoner

We are all rooting for you and hope that you get to the final and the judges will see your project shine through above all and win.
good luck!! Long Live kurdistan

shiv

Vote in. Good luck!

Shorsh

Good luck with your wonderful project. Shorsh

kamirandizayee

ll done Jon,you worked so hard to get so far, we Kurdish are grateful to people like you who help us to achieve our dream and have our own country one day.

kamirandizayee

I mean well done

Jwamer

You have my vote, good luck

DILDIL

you have my vote ..

biji kurdistan biji peshmerga biji kerkok

her kurdino her kurd dabin

Hawraman

You have my vote now too, and good luck.

Maz1990

you got my vote and my respect

Lawekurd

you got my Vote , all the luck

ahmad39

God bless

kamirandizayee

Thank you kak Ahmed

kamirandizayee

Thank you every one for voting for Jonathan and Kurdistan...God bless you all

salihdezai

Good luck Jonathan..we all behind you 100% like our uncle Kamiran Dizayee

kamirandizayee

Thank you dear Salih

Nawapower07

I salute you, Good luck with all you do in the future and in particular this project.

ADAMJONES

DO NOT DELETE THEM JON

IF YOU DO

I WILL POST THEM AGAIN

curdo1985

come on people invite your friends!

jvidar

Adam,
I did not delete any previous comments you have made. I do not have that capability. I would be happy to have a political discussion with you, however this is not the appropriate forum. You have emailed me directly already and I just responded. Please respond in kind. Thank you,
Jon

instudiox

Interesting idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations. http://tinyurl.com/chy79g

cweiss310

Jon... best of luck! Hope your idea wins! Great to see its already stirring up discussion!!!!

jvidar

I especially want to thank Kamiran and the Dizayee family... I don't think I could have made it this far without all of your support! I look forward to meeting you.

Ewitman

God Bless! You have my vote!

tijda

You got my vote too, and good luck wiht your project.

kasaw

you've already sort of won because I got a message that you are under 20 should come out and you are 9 so ...

kamirandizayee

Thank you for your kind words Jonathan..it is our duty to vote for you and we are grateful to you for the work you do for our Kurdish people.

hawlerie83

i only joined to vote for you, i think this is going to be an amazing project and i wish all the luck in the world :)

tareen986

good luck!!!

gazal

You are doing a very good job!good luck:)

solin

wow good luck!!

swardizayee

I voted for you, Kurdistan and Uncle Kamiran, good luck

hakanener

Thank you so much for this project Jonathan, and good luck..

tjericho

Best of luck from Reddit.

decent_13

good luck

decent_13

we will always be hehind of you

jewellgardner

go tiziano go!

lesinska

You have my vote. Great job, Jon

jvidar

Please be advised. You can only vote once. The rules of the competition are very clear and I do not endorse cheating of any kind. We have come this far through honest support from friends, family, and the Kurdish community. Please do not jeopardize my chances of completing my dream project.

ragna

The love and energy that you put into your work is a beacon of light - much luck !!! rags

nlytal

I'm impressed by the thought put into this project and the courage needed to implement it. Yours is an noble goal--I wish you the best in achieving it.

kamirandizayee

We all keep our finguers crossed for you Jonathan, the whole Kurdish nation is praying for you...you have to win the competition...otherwise we Kurds will raise the money for you to fund your project.
I am sure the competition organizer are aware of the Kurdish plight and suffering.

jvidar

Thank you Kamiran! And FYI everyone, the instructions for voting are now available in both dialects of Kurdish on facebook! If you want to send them out, just friend me and I will give it to you!

Lilmegs0000

This is an amazing concept. Well though out, thorough, heart felt and timely. Just by having the support of the Kurdish people is telling of the need for this project to come to fruition. Best of luck!!! I hope the judges see how important it is for this story to be told.

Fila2Kurdistani

Bravo and well done jvidar

cardox

my vote is urs .. good luck

kamirandizayee

Thank to every one for voting please ask you friends to Vote for Jonathan's project, well kurdish story have to told to the whole world.

kawadizayee

Good luck Mr. Vidar.. Dizayee Family wish you all the best.

sirwandizayee

God bless you

mamo

allah be w?th you .good luck

chatodizayee

You got my vote well done Jonathan.

chatodizayee

!000 votes well done every one

cathlenie

i support this project 100 %.. and i really want to see your work!! serious. I resonate deeply with your calling. email me a link of your work.. or keep me informed of your progress. [email protected]

kamirandizayee

Votes Votes .. we need more votes to reach Rank 1..please vote, the project is for a good cause...we are talking about a NATION here...thanx

kurdishrights

You have all our support from KurdishRights.org and MideastYouth.com! Your vision is inspiring and has potential to change millions of lives, or at least how others perceive Kurds!

Here's to your success. We will do everything we can to make sure you come out as the winner.

Kbooks

Got my vote

http://books-kurds.blogspot.com/

Raaaz

You got my vote and suport.

Thank you for the interest in our culture and race.

Good luck on your journey!

Raaaz

You got my vote and suport.

Thank you for the interest in our culture and race.

Good luck on your journey!

sherzad

good luck.....man

xatarkurd

Wow way a go Jon, top 4. I"m proud of you, and I love your project. Biji Kurdistan

daroon

you have my vote,
good luck.

let the world know who we are.

serdar_sindy

Dast Xosh Bo Ta Kake Heja . .

serdar_sindy

eshla serkaf te e

shoxmar2003

Bijit Kudistan..........Thank you for making this project happen!

howie

Great project

Hitman

wallah aferin

furnhusch

Got my vote.

Welat

I hope we can travel together to Hawler;).

NihadZaxo

Well done, with much love from us:)

nonny73

This has to be the winning project! Not only is it a wonderful idea, but look at the amount of votes, comments, and passion behind this dream! Go Jon!

Dawetiko

Best wishes

Best wihes

sidarok

I am the owner of the facebook group most famous Kurdish Singer, Sivan Perwer and you got my vote, I am also going to update 47.000 fans.

That should help a lot.

Thanks for bringing in such a brilliant idea.

Kurdim

You know that we love u and eveyone who care about us..
Good job and good luck! :)

jvidar

Sidarok, Thank you so much. I'm not sure if you wrote me before, but Sivan Perwer has already reached out to me to photograph him after word got to him about this project. Thak you so much for spreading the word, but be sure to note that voting ends tonight at Midnight New York time!

jvidar

Also, as I said before, I have the instructions for how to vote in English, Kurmanji, and Sorani. Send me a message on Facebook if you need any of these!

sidarok

strange thing I am observing that it was 1141, but now it is 1137 ? are they deducing the votes ??

sidarok

1130 ? Something really strange going on.

Btw, if you are a fan, go to page, you'll see I updated the status with an ad. Click "like it", and I'll add you as a friend.

Thanks for such a brilliant project.

OzgurD

Thanks friends for your project, I hope that you can reach your ideas and dreams.. Thanks victoria to let me know this project.. And of course, thank you Sidar ;)

Good luck..

jvidar

Thanks Sidarok for pointing this out. I am currently emailing Microsoft to determine what happened. Again everyone, do not try to vote multiple times. It is not necessary to get to number one and I do not want anyones actions to jeopardize my chances in this competition.

thehappyclam

Good luck :D

havalio

Good luck, Hope it goes well.

dddddd

keep going

d6

good luck
u have my vote

wooow

God bless uuuuuuu

kamirandizayee

Thanks to you all guys Jonathan is Rank 2 now ...that is great..

kurdishmom

am a kurdish mom
i wish you all succes

kurdistan4ever

long live kurdistan

zhwan

yessssss...

kamirandizayee

Thank you very much for my cousin Dinna for votting and I wish her all the best in life and God bless her and her lovely family

asreen

very important project
i voted for you

3awena

from me hassan agha aghay 3awena
her is my vote....go go gooooo

shexsharwn

kurdistan till the end
shex sharwan & dugoordkan

Kurd4life94

yo bro my vote waz 4 u and 4ever

kamirandizayee

Dear Jonathan...in the name of Kurdish nation I salute you.. you are a winner for us and a hero...you do not belived how many people are praying...every on talks about even people who never had access to computer or internet..

kamirandizayee

Kurdish nation suffered enough it is about time tell the story and I am sure your project and photos will achive that goal.
Thousands of kurdish would have voted for you if all had access to the net or if the vottin have been in their native language.

kamirandizayee

I am glad I met you through this competition and we are grateful to the organizor of the competition to give a chance to people like you to help others.
God bless... and I wish all the best in your life

kamirandizayee

By the way Jonathan you are famous in Kurdistan, do you know local Newspaper wrote about you and the competition even local Kurdish Radio talked about you and your fight to win for your project...good luck.

jvidar

Again, to everyone that has helped work so hard to help me achieve my dream - my family, friends, coworkers, friends of friends, and, most of all, the Kurdish community - thank you.

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