Kurdish Governor Unlikely for Iran’s West Azerbaijan Provinc
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:52 pmERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A Kurdish governor for Iran’s West Azerbaijan province is highly unlikely because of opposition by the area’s Azeri population, some residents say.
“There is strong opposition to appointing a Kurd as governor,” said Abdulaziz Mawludi, a Kurdish journalist in Bokan city. “The Azeris are very powerful and appointing a Sunni Kurd is very unlikely,” he told Rudaw.
It is believed that the Kurds have been forced to accept the post of deputy governor.
Urumuyeh, the provincial capital, is claimed by both the Kurdish and Azeri population.
Hassil Dasa, a Kurd and former MP for the cities of Piranshahr and Sardasht, is the candidate for the post of deputy governor. He has also been nominated for the province’s top agricultural post.
“The opposition against a possible Kurdish governor is stronger in the street than what is seen in the news,” said Mawludi, who said that the opposition stems more from religious differences than political.
The Kurds are predominantly Sunni Muslims, while Azeri’s practice Shiite Islam.
“It is not only about the governor’s post,” Mawludi said. “We can see it in every aspect of life. That is why this province is one of the most neglected.”
Despite their fight for the governor’s post the Kurds have been unwilling to support fellow Kurd Faraydoon Himmati in his bid for the seat.
They argue that during his five years as the head of the province’s radio and television board Himmati was responsible for cutting off programs on Kurdish language and culture.
Recently, 60 activists from West Azerbaijan sent a petition to Iran’s new President Hassan Rowhani, complaining of discrimination against the Kurds and other Sunni groups in the province.
Also for his part Dasa, the nominee for Kurdish deputy governor, has recommended the formation of a special committee that would look into the issues of religious and ethnic discrimination.
“There is strong opposition to appointing a Kurd as governor,” said Abdulaziz Mawludi, a Kurdish journalist in Bokan city. “The Azeris are very powerful and appointing a Sunni Kurd is very unlikely,” he told Rudaw.
It is believed that the Kurds have been forced to accept the post of deputy governor.
Urumuyeh, the provincial capital, is claimed by both the Kurdish and Azeri population.
Hassil Dasa, a Kurd and former MP for the cities of Piranshahr and Sardasht, is the candidate for the post of deputy governor. He has also been nominated for the province’s top agricultural post.
“The opposition against a possible Kurdish governor is stronger in the street than what is seen in the news,” said Mawludi, who said that the opposition stems more from religious differences than political.
The Kurds are predominantly Sunni Muslims, while Azeri’s practice Shiite Islam.
“It is not only about the governor’s post,” Mawludi said. “We can see it in every aspect of life. That is why this province is one of the most neglected.”
Despite their fight for the governor’s post the Kurds have been unwilling to support fellow Kurd Faraydoon Himmati in his bid for the seat.
They argue that during his five years as the head of the province’s radio and television board Himmati was responsible for cutting off programs on Kurdish language and culture.
Recently, 60 activists from West Azerbaijan sent a petition to Iran’s new President Hassan Rowhani, complaining of discrimination against the Kurds and other Sunni groups in the province.
Also for his part Dasa, the nominee for Kurdish deputy governor, has recommended the formation of a special committee that would look into the issues of religious and ethnic discrimination.