WASHINGTON, D.C - The Kurdish community in the US representing all four parts of Kurdistan gathered in Washington, D.C., for a reception inside the US Congress honoring Senator Lindsey Graham for his longstanding support of the Kurdish people and their political cause.
Organized by Kurdish-American advocacy groups, the event brought together members of the Kurdish diaspora from across the United States. Addressing the audience, Senator Graham reaffirmed his commitment to Kurdish rights and pledged continued backing for the Save the Kurds Act, describing the legislation as a priority.
Ellan Bublani, President of the American-Kurdish Advocacy organization, expressed the community’s appreciation. "Senator Graham has done a great deal and has stood by the Kurds in Washington, both within the government and in Congress," Bublani said. "Our role as Kurds in Washington is to lobby to protect our people across all four parts of Kurdistan."
Khayal Qertel, Director of the Kurdish Film Festival in New York, was also among the attendees. She presented Senator Graham with a traditional Kurdish scarf purchased in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, along with a string of prayer beads.
"I wanted to give him something culturally significant that Kurds use every day, so he truly understands who we are," she said.
In his remarks, Senator Graham addressed the situation of Kurds in Rojava and Rojhalat, delivering a pointed message about the Iranian regime. "We're going to hopefully weaken this regime, and your liberation will be at hand one day," he told Rudaw.
On the Save the Kurds Act, Graham expressed determination to advance the bill in Congress. The legislation aims to send a strong message to the Syrian government and its international backers, while establishing formal protections for Kurdish allies in the region. He indicated he is committed to bringing the bill to a full Congressional vote at the appropriate time and is confident it will pass with a majority.
Graham has been one of the most prominent American lawmakers advocating for the protection of Kurdish forces, especially in northeast Syria (Rojava). He recently warned that abandoning the Kurds after their key role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) would be a “disgrace” for the United States, emphasizing that Kurdish fighters carried much of the burden in dismantling the extremist group.
He has repeatedly stressed that Kurdish forces were instrumental in the war against ISIS and warned that abandoning them would damage Washington’s credibility and moral standing.
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