‘Modest Peshmarga’ Felekedin Kakei Dies of Stroke

[Aslan]

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Felekedin Kakei, a prominent Kurdish intellectual and politician who died of a stroke on Wednesday, began his political life by writing a newspaper column that he smuggled out every week from his Iraqi prison cell.

“The death of Kakei, that great intellectual, was a big loss for our nation,” Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani said in a condolence message.

Kakei’s chequered life took many twists and turns. He went from a guest in Saddam Hussein’s jail to becoming the minister of culture for the autonomous Kurdistan Region after the dictator’s downfall in 2003.

From prison, he wrote columns under the alias “Halaj” for the Kurdish-backed al-Taakhi newspaper – a popular Arabic newspaper -- where he became editor-in-chief after Saddam’s fall.

His involvement in Kurdish politics forced Kakei to flee for his life to Iran, where he joined the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) leadership and played important roles in planning and decision-making.

In a condolence message, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said, “I feel a great sadness for Kakei’s death. Kakei was a close and respected friend of mine. He was a teacher to me.”

After the Kurdish uprising in 1991 and creation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Kakei was elected a member of parliament and later became the region’s minister of culture. As minister one of his roles was campaigning to free Kurdish political prisoners, including Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who is jailed in Turkey.

As minister and writer, Kakei contributed greatly to Kurdish literature by authoring a number of books. He also introduced the culture of his people -- the Kakeis – through books, talks and newspaper articles.

During the Kurdish civil war in the 1990s Kakei stood against the tragic bloodshed and advocated for peace through his writings. At the gloomiest of times his optimism remained ever bright, and he would say that the war would end and Kurdish parties would once again try to solve their differences peacefully.

“At the worst of times, Kakei was a great source of hope,” PM Barzani said. “Those familiar with his writings would know how hopeful he was about the future.”

“Kakei will live in our memory forever,” the premier said. “He was a modest Peshmarga, a patient refugee, a sound journalist and prophetic politician.”