Greater DC's Kurdish-American Community

Yesterday afternoon it was my distinct pleasure to host an event celebrating the Kurdish-American community in the Greater Washington Area. More than 200 people attended this reunion, enjoying both great food and great conversation, at the Kurdistan Regional Government offices in Washington, DC.

Distinguished guests included members of the KRG delegation that attended the U.S.-Iraq Investors Conference last week—Herish Muharam, Chairman of the Kurdistan Regions Board of Investment; Hoshyar Siwaily, Minister for Electricty; Tahsin Qadir Ali, Minister for Water Resources; and Governor Dana Ahmed Majeed of Suleimania and Abdulrahaman Mustafa of Kirkuk.

I was heartened to see the pride on people’s faces as they entered the KRG offices. Our guests recognized the incredible potential of the new future before us, while at the same time raising the expectations of what we, as the KRG need to achieve in the US and in Kurdistan. The Kurdish American community in the US offers great hope to strengthening Kurdistan’s relations with the US, while at the same time, being a voice for reason to ensure that Kurdistan stays true to its word of reform and continued democratization.