Parwas Hussein, a Kurdish amateur singer who beat 15,000 contestants to break into the semifinals of the Arab world’s top television talent show, has shown that politics is not the only way to get on the international map.
Every time I speak of Kurds being known worldwide a dear friend – who evidently has no fondness for politics – tirelessly reminds me that “All the Kurds need is a “Gangnam Style” song or a “Messi” to make themselves known worldwide.
I rebel: “No, we have genocide, ethnic cleansing, rich history, culture and a unique language.”
But Hussein, a Kurdish contestant made her appearance on Arab Idol, it showed that politics is indeed not the only means to get noticed.
It may come as a clear contradiction and dissatisfaction for many Kurdish people to have a Kurd on a show named “Arab Idol.” After all, Kurds are not Arabs. But having said this, if Kurds want to be noticed by an international or regional audience, then art, culture and music are key vehicles to do so.
It came as a delight for me to see Hussein, wife of a local Kurdish artist and mother of a young girl, get on stage and twice sing in Kurdish before millions of viewers watching across the globe. After the last voting results, she moved to the next round as the top 12 contestants in the show.
Her Kurdish beauty shone on stage. In previous appearances, she has clearly made every effort to highlight her Kurdish identity: The Kurdistan necklace around her neck; singing in traditional Kurdish clothes. At last week’s appearance, she sang entirely in Kurdish, and was commended by the judges for a great performance. It was indeed a rare chance for Kurdish lyrics and music to be heard on a primarily Arabic stage.
She is introduced on stage as coming from Iraqi Kurdistan. In the previous show, after the Emirati singer Ahlam complemented the performance, Hussein’s lips clearly whispered “Sepas,” or thank you in Kurdish.
Ragheb Alama, a Lebanese artist and judge on the show, referred to Kurdistan as a country and stated Hussein has been able to link the artistic map of Kurdistan and the Arab world together. As for singer and superstar Nancy Ajram, she admitted her willingness to sing in Kurdish. I doubt she had previously heard a single Kurdish word.
The reality of Hussein not knowing how to speak in Arabic is a statement itself. Even the first letter of her given name, “P,” does not exist in the Arabic alphabet. Those who watched the auditions will remember she entered with a translator, although recent videos show her attempts to learn Arabic as she mixes the Iraqi, Lebanese and Egyptian dialects.
Today, Hussein is an ambassador of Kurdistan before an Arab audience. For me, every extra week she remains on the show is an advertisement for Kurdistan. Already, her first contest appearance has gained over one million views on YouTube in less than one week. Her first audition is on the verge of reaching four million views.
The impact of art should not be undermined, and every opportunity must be utilized by the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kurds themselves to showcase this nation. When it comes to art, we all speak the same language.
Kurds must not be irritated by the show’s name, but rather perceive it as an opportunity. Hussein has shown and proven she is a representative of Kurds and Kurdistan, even if it is in small and symbolic gestures such as displaying the Kurdish map and flag on her neck.
Maybe my dear friend is right: There is a need for a few international icons for Kurdistan to showcase itself to the world. It is through them we can introduce our rich culture and history, and give voice to the many Kurdish stories that the world needs to hear.
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