ALQOSH, Kurdistan Region – The district of Alqosh in the Nineveh Plains is home to a multitude of ethnic and religious groups, including Christians, Yezidis, Shabaks and Muslims.
Although the town of Alqosh is exclusively Christian, many other groups live in the surrounding villages.
“Alqosh is well-known for being home to different ethnic groups. Christians, Yezidis, Muslim Arabs and Muslim Kurds live across the 42 villages around Alqosh. Jews also lived here in the past,” Mayor Lara Zara told Rudaw.
A variety of religious sites are scattered in and around the town, including the tomb of Prophet Nahum – one of Judaism’s 12 minor prophets.
“Alqosh is a historic example of coexistence in Kurdistan. Prophet Nahum was the 12th prophet of the B’nai Israel [Children of Israel]. This is a very sacred place,” said Ran Kohn, head of the Aramik organization.
“Every year, we hold our religious ceremonies here because this shrine is holy to us,” he added.
Alqosh is also for the Rabban Horzmid Monsatery, a Chaldean site carved into the mountains above the town.
Reporting by Sahar Adib
