Dilgohdar, a Kurdish Christian, agreed to tell me about himself and how he found Christianity.
“First of all, thank you for showing interest in the Christian minority among the Kurds. I was born in Europe into an atheist family, only my mother is baptized as a Christian.
I was an atheist for 22 years before I discovered Christianity. For the moment I am trying my best to finish reading the bible (…) My favourite character of the bible is Ibrahîm (Abraham): he left his relatives in Urfa (Northern Kurdistan) for a travel to the Canaan. Then of course Îsa Mesî (Jesus) and his life as god`s only son.”
European states prefered by Kurds
“I am proud to belong to such a great people as the Kurds” he says. “They have patience for other religious minorities such as the Ezidî, Zardusht and the Christian Kurds.”
He tries to explain his choice for Christianity like that:
“It is in my interest, not only to live by the 10 commandments and to be an honest Christian, but also to combine my religion with my Kurdish heritage”.
He tells that the basics of Christian Kurds belong to the Nestorian Church. In fact, Nestorians and Kurds lived together for decades of years in common villages of Northern Kurdistan. But later they immigrated to countries of Europe and the USA. Their churches stay empty today, but the Kurds have promised them to look after their churches because a lot of Nestorians come back to visit their villages.
A Nestorian wedding in a village of Kurds and Nestorians.
Dilgohdar expresses how serious he takes his choice of being a Christian Kurd.
The Painting shows Jesus`s baptism, one of the most important element of Christianity
“I am not baptized yet but this summer I will be baptized in the Caucasian regions of the Middle East.” He knows a couple of Christian Kurds. “We often speak about the bible, Christianity and Kurdistan”, he says. But Dilgohdar regrets that most of the Kurds who convert to Christianity can not tell their choice to their families.
“Their families are Muslims, and it would create problems if they`d tell them. But I have found myself a bride and we will get married soon. So I will reveal to my family and friends then.”
When he was an atheist, he didn`t know what to do in his life, Dilgohdar says. But today he is sure about what he wants. Let`s remember that he said he wants to combine his religion with his Kurdish heritage:
“My marriage and funeral will be in a church in Kurdistan... hopefully the Church of Akhdamar in the Van Province, N.Kurdistan.”
Armenian church Akhdamar in Van
It should fill us with happiness to know such a Kurd like Dilgohdar, because today, a lot of Kurds don`t know what to do for their life…
More infos about Christian Kurds: http://www.kurdistanica.com/english/religion/christianity/christianity.html
3 Kommentare:
Thank you for your work, great interview. You should post this to KurdishMedia or some other kurdish newspaper, well written kekecan!
That some Kurds have remained Christians in the face of the Islamic tidal wave, and that a few Kurds of Muslim ancestry have converted to Christianity, is yet another way in which the Kurds are among the most fascinating people on earth. Proud, free, independent, strong, and beautiful. All Hail Kurdistan!
God bless you and protect you.
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