ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Days ahead of the Kurdistan Region’s planned independence referendum, a Kurdish singer has released a melodic version of the national anthem to encourage her “Kurdish brothers and sisters” to unite and “not lose sight of what is important.”
Dashni Morad, a renowned singer from Sulaimani, wanted to put a female voice to the words of the anthem, which is traditionally accompanied by big-brass music, akin to anthems developed in early-to-mid 20th century for revolutionary marches and parades. She will sing it at the Place de la Republique in Paris at 5 p.m. on Friday.
“Today, as the Kurds of Iraq, we are closer than ever to drawing the Southern border on the map in ink, so the rest of the world may finally recognize the country known as Kurdistan,” she told Rudaw English.
She evocatively sings ‘Ey Reqîb' with a certain feminity while carrying the flag of Kurdistan alone in the Zagros with wide aerial shots that flash to important Kurdish cultural sites such as the cemetery for Halabja genocide victims and the cavernous mountain passes that have sheltered Kurds in times of despair.
“100 years ago, the Western, Northern and Eastern borders of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were drawn. We were separated from our brothers and sisters, and since then, we have each faced the struggle for freedom and independence alone,” explained Morad of the song’s message.
Morad was born in Sulaimani. She fled with her family to Iran in the 1990s before landing in Europe, where she has gone on to become a pop singer, songwriter, and human rights, and environmental activist.
She came to Kurdistan ahead of the historic vote to record the music video directed by Yousif Lashkiri.
“To all my Kurdish brothers and sisters: Times may have changed, but our objective hasn’t. Do not lose sight of what is important here,” she explained.
Morad has outspokenly supported Kurdish independence and soon plans to release a tribute song ‘Her Biji’ for all the Peshmerga who sacrificed for their homeland.
The Kurdistan Region is scheduled hold an independence referendum on Monday, which Baghdad deems to be “unconstitutional” and the international community has widely opposed.
“Independence is within touching distance,” she added. “Let us unite and make this happen, as those before us always dreamed.”
The Kurdish President Masoud Barzani has said a future independent Kurdistan is prepared to changed the national anthem to a version that is more inclusive to other groups.
Within the first day of posting the video on Facebook, it had received more than 100,000 views.
Dashni Morad in the music video accompanying her rendition of the Kurdistan National Anthem. Video: Dashni FB
The translation of 'Ey Reqîb' [Oh foes who watch us]:
Oh foes who watch us, the nation whose language is Kurdish is alive
It cannot be defeated by makers of weapons of any time
Let no one say the Kurds are dead, the Kurds are alive
The Kurds are alive and their flag will never fall
We are the sons of the red colour and revolution
Our history is one filled and blood
Let no one say the Kurds are dead, the Kurds are alive
The Kurds are alive and our flag will never fall
We are the sons of the Medes and Kai Khosrow
Our homeland is our faith and religion
Let no one say the Kurds are dead, the Kurds are alive
The Kurds are alive and our flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth has risen like noble warriors
To draw the crown of life with blood
Let no one say the Kurds are dead, the Kurds are alive
The Kurds are alive and our flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth are ever-ready
And always prepared to sacrifice their lives
To sacrifice their lives, to sacrifice their lives.
