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Written by Lulav Mustafa

Kurdistans unsung hero

Mir Xanzad

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Written by Lulav Mustafa

Mir Xanzad

The Kurdish women history has been sadly an invisible because people dont know where to hear about them. From
an ethnic background it is being hard to know about women when their history has not been fully documented.
Therefore, many precious features of Kurdish custom are unidentified and absent. So the individuals highlighted
throughout history are mainly Men. The reader may have heard of Mustafa Barzani, Salahadin, Qazi Mihemmed,
and Dr. Abdul Rahman Qasimlo etc. All great men have been contributed hugely to Kurdish history in their
periods. But the same efforts of women which have been seemed ignored.

Conversely, through looking feminist history literature, books, documentaries and reports about powerful
women. Countless stories of powerful women in the Middle East will be hearing by readers, but Kurdish women
are been adequately highlighted even by the feminist world. The most influential and obvious Kurdish women in
rdistan were Kara Fatma, Zrena, Leyla Qasim, Layla Zana, Mir Xanzad. As a writer I found out that the oldest
woman should be clarified, hence through this article Mir Xanzad and her rule over Soran Emirate will be
explained.

A modern mentality of Kurdish women two centuries ago that the west is only now catching with, Mir
Xanzad who the second famous examples of Kurdish women who have greatly contributed to our history and
feminism alike. She was a sister of Mir Suliman who was a prince of Soran Emirate (Mirnisheen) after he was
killed by Lashkri, who was one of the military great commanders. In 1590 the reins of power had taken over by
Xanzad and became princess of Soran Emirate. Lashkri with his army could not face Mir Xanzad and for that
reason he marched to Shangal. However, both armies were attacked their base. A letter was sent to him by Xanzad
which stated that she could not managed the governor and take all the heritage of Soran Emirate should someone be
shared power with her. It was stated also that she could not found someone better than him to marry. When the
letter was received by Lashkri, hundred knights had been taken to Harir with him. On the next day, he was
handcuffed with his knights and executed. Soran Emirate had been ruled Mir Xanzad for seven years and had an
active role by building castles, roads and also strengthened the army. One of the most beautiful castles was known
by her name. Xanzad Castle is located 20 km north of Erbil that is recently the capital of Kurdistan region.

From our military warriors to our modern day heroes, from Mir Xanzad to Leyla Zana, Kurdistan has been
had many great women who have been greatly donated to human and womens rights. Through the oppression of
their ethnicity, language and culture have been had to fight. And those who havent stood in parliament and been

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Written by Lulav Mustafa
imprisoned for their ethnicity and language, besides those who died in the mountains for their rights, are still great
heroes in Kurdistan. The most unrecognized of all are probably the Kurdish mothers: Those who have had lived
through genocides and wars only to see the atrocity committed against their children suffered. They stand as heroes
to continue their struggle for their freedom.

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