ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s Kurds have declared independence -- albeit in cyber space. For the first time, the autonomous Kurdistan Region has its own Top-Level Domain – the suffix that appears after the dot symbol in an Internet web address. Websites in Kurdistan or in the Kurdish language can now opt for the .krd suffix at the end of their web addresses, replacing things like .com or .net – offering a home for the worldwide Kurdish community. “People do not easily understand what a domain is, how it is operated and how crucial it is to have a TLD. Operating a TLD contributes to national pride,“ said Hiwa Afandi, head of information technology at the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which was behind the initiative. Iraq’s Kurds have their own anthem, flag and language. But despite an overwhelming desire for their own homeland, they still remain part of Iraq – in the same way that Scotland is attached to the United Kingdom and the Catalans are part of Spain. Ambitions of independence in Kurdistan run very high: Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani has said that a referendum on independence from Iraq could take place in October. While all that goes on, in cyberspace the Kurds have already planted their flag -- as had the Scots with .scot and the Catalans with .cat. “We have already declared our independence in the cyber world; we are not operating under the TLD of any other country,” Afandi beamed. The new TLD will be used as a tool to reach out to the rest of the world, boosting the Kurdish identity in places where it is not yet known. Afandi said that having a TLD will help organizations and companies in the Kurdistan Region to promote a Kurdish brand. “KRD is a national symbol; it is our flag in cyber space,“ Afandi explained with pride. Rivan Abdulkhalq Bazaz, the manager behind the .krd project, explained that at first many people did not understand the importance of Kurdistan having its own TLD. “Many people thought that owning a TLD could be a waste of effort and money,” she said. “People are still unaware of the benefits of being recognized in cyber space.” She explained that, while an important reason of going for the TLD was to raise the Kurdish profile on the Internet, there are also other important advantages – especially for businesses. “The importance of having a TLD is the extension that you have after the name of your company. Once you know the location you know your opportunities,” she added. Chopy Fatah, a well-known Kurdish singer who has recently changed her domain to .krd, said she was looking for just that kind of opportunity. “Back in time when I picked my domain, a top level domain for Kurdistan did not exist, otherwise it would be my first choice,” she told Rudaw English. She said it is important for her and her fans around the world to recognize her Kurdish identity. “Most of my songs and music identify deeply with the Kurdish identity,” she said. “I am well known for my love of my Kurdish identity and people. Therefore, the shift was important to me. “I feel Iike I am where I belong!” Responsibility for management of most top-level domains is delegated to specific organizations like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization. Several years ago when ICANN embarked on an initiative to expand the Internet, the Kurdistan Region jumped on the opportunity and applied for a home in cyber space. In 2013, ICANN approved Kurdistan’s request, and the year after .krd was born. “All government agencies have switched to .krd,” Afandi said. “All government e-mail accounts have switched to .krd, as have all universities,” he explained. Now, the Kurdistan Region is partnering with Internet registration companies around the world, to offer .krd to whoever wants it and qualifies for it. So far, some 300 domains are registered under .krd, including global giants like Apple, BMW and Amazon.
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