KurdishMedia.com - By Khasraw Saleh Koyi

Those who have had the opportunity to read Mr. Sayid Qadir’s two

controversial articles may have noticed the presence of an unusual

level of implication of individuals, foreign states, and their intelligence

organizations in an attempt to support his views in underlining what

he sees to be serious shortcomings in South Kurdistan’s political

leadership and state of democracy. In some cases his rules of

allegations are mixed with tactless description of others character

and conducts. Although he may have had proof to back up his

words, however he should not have sacrificed etiquette to satisfy

his need for expressing candidness and courage. For someone of

such high intellectual potential and academic achievements, there

seems to be quite of a mismatch in what is expected from him versus

the way he has expressed it.

Also, those who have had a grasp of the sort of grievances he had experienced while teaching at Salhudin University in Erbil and the fear of safety for his life in various situations, may understand the level of escalating emotional strains and antagonism he must have suffered and which prompted him to publicize his conflicts in the manner he chose. Having lost his father to Kurdish struggle, endeavored to acquire outstanding academic achievements, remaining passionately in contact with his Kurdish nation and consciously choosing the welfare of his people to his personal pursue of status and riches, he may have felt a great sense of betrayal from all those KDP and KRG leaders and officials who may have contributed in blocking his intellectual contributions to serve the Kurds and making a positive impact on the state of their evolving democracy.

As any human-being who is cornered and pushed into a defensive position, it is likely that he was subconsciously induced into a state of mind in which he compared his intellectual credentials, as well as his sincerity and integrity with that of those whom he found to be less apt and sincere and yet are in positions to exercise influence on his rights and the rights of his people in Kurdistan. It is obvious that the accumulative impact of his sense of betrayal, humiliation, threats, and other bitter thoughts has influenced a course of action which may not look pleasant and/or rational; nonetheless he must have thought of it as being the most effective course available for his kind of circumstances.

Reading other Mr. Sayid Qadir’s writings carefully, one can’t miss the significance of his intellectual capacity. He seems to be quite capable to strategize his thoughts and actions in a way to yield maximum rewards possible in a certain situation. It is quite likely that despite certain risks, he has used his words in such an explosive manner with the aim to generate a level of agitation powerful enough to shake up the Kurdish conscious and reveal many serious political and Administrative faults the Kurds suffer from in South Kurdistan. He must have intended to have the status quo put under public scrutiny for the causes and culprits to be brought to light.

Judging from the widespread attention to Mr. Sayid Qadir’s case, those who are behind his flagrant incarceration must feel the pinch already. Also, they must get the sense that awareness in the Kurds is not that insignificant to let them get away with everything that tribal and backward appetites desire. If anything, average Kurds have come along way to understand the difference between the morals and the integrity of selfless Kurdish intellectuals such as Dr. Kamal Sayd Qadir versus those opportunistic characters who live to thrive on corruption and abuse of power. There is no doubt that he will become a role model for those who value true democracy. His sacrifices will set an example to be followed and remembered.

It is true that democracy comes at a price. For pre-designed external reasons, Kurds were left to lag behind in many fronts. It is ironic that some influential Kurds of S. Kurdistan, who portray themselves as heroes and saviors of the Kurds, take advantage of this lag ‘mastered by the brutal enemies of the Kurds’ to harm their own kind in some obvious primitive and uncivilized ways. It is neither democratic nor civilized to use force and abuse authority when challenged with pen.

Common wisdom suggests that soft “non-violent” mistakes are part of anyone’s life. If looked at objectively, they all happen for a reason and all leave lessons to be learnt from. Whether mistakes are of their own or of the others, understanding adults should have an open-mind to them and use them to learn and improve than to punish and avenge. Many consider Mr. Sayid Qadir to be confident and cultured enough to admit to his mistakes, but many more wish that those who planned and ordered his arrest and imprisonment have alike properties to undo their wrongdoings and apologize for the victims. Political and Administrative leaders who fail to exhibit the good human side in their personalities will always remain vulnerable and never succeed to gain the voluntary trust and respect of their citizens.

Today, average Kurds are very disappointed with Mr. Sayid Qadir’s arbitrary arrest and imprisonment. The longer this gross injustice continues, the deeper it resides in the subconscious of the Kurds; it will bring their anger closer to threshold levels in any future cases of injustice in South Kurdistan. His arrest and imprisonment is a judicial travesty and an ugly insult to the concept of democracy. It has brought shame on the Kurds and their reputation. Hence, Kurds’ common interests demand that he is released without further delay

Wrong and right in Dr. Kamal Sayd Qadir’s case 

1/9/2006