Hawrê Qandil is a Kurdish academic researcher, writer, and historian from Southern Kurdistan, widely recognised for his pioneering work on Kurdish identity, ancient history, and the cultural and civilisational continuity of the Kurdish people. Scholars describe him as an independent, principled, and truthful intellectual whose decades of research are devoted to protecting, documenting, and revitalising the national identity of the Kurds while preserving the cultural and historical foundations of Kurdistan.
Deeply committed to the question of Kurdish nationhood, Qandil advocates not only for the rights of every Kurdish individual but also for the protection of the land itself—its mountains and valleys, its forests and rivers, its wildlife, plains, and ecosystems. His work reflects a profound belief that the dignity of Kurdistan encompasses both its people and its natural world. He is regarded as a dedicated voice for justice, equality, and the inherent rights of all members of Kurdish society.
Environmental preservation is a core dimension of Qandil’s philosophy. He views the protection of nature—its landscapes, its native species, and its ecological harmony—as inseparable from safeguarding Kurdish cultural and national identity. For him, the land and its people form a single, interdependent whole.
Qandil also writes extensively on the political future of Kurdistan. He has consistently expressed the view that the emergence of an independent Greater Kurdistan is historically justified, politically necessary, and likely to occur sooner than many expect. His perspective is grounded in several key observations: the growing Kurdish engagement with identity and cultural rights; increasing international awareness and empathy toward the Kurdish cause; and a widespread recognition among global scholars that long-term stability in the Middle East is unlikely without the establishment of a Kurdish state. Within this framework, Qandil argues that Kurdish independence is essential not only for the Kurdish nation but also for regional peace, democratic development, and political stability.
At the heart of Qandil’s worldview is a vision of a peaceful global community in which all nations live with dignity, equality, and the right to define and preserve their own identity. He believes firmly that through the resilience and determination of the Kurdish people and their allies, a free and flourishing Kurdistan will rise sooner than anticipated. In his writings, he often imagines the day when the flag of an independent Kurdistan will be proudly raised among the flags of the world at the United Nations in Geneva and New York—a moment that will honour all Kurds and friends of Kurdistan.
Across more than thirty-five years of continuous research, Qandil has produced a significant body of work that synthesises historical, cultural, and political scholarship. His writings are frequently referenced by researchers, students, and readers seeking a deeper understanding of Kurdish history, identity, culture, and future aspirations. His contributions stand as a lasting testament to a lifetime dedicated to the past, present, and future of the Kurdish nation.
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Published Works
1. ناسنامەی کوردستان
Language: Central Kurdish
Year: 2003 — Revised 2013 & 2023
The foundational Kurdish edition analysing Kurdish identity, cultural continuity, and historical development.
2. Nasnameya Kurdistanê
Language: Northern Kurdish
Year: 2003 — Revised 2013 & 2023
The foundational Kurdish edition analysing Kurdish identity, cultural continuity, and historical development.
3. Kurdland Kurdish Identity
Language: English
Year: 2003 — Revised 2013 & 2023
An English-language adaptation presenting Kurdish identity to global academic audiences.
4. The Greater Kurdistan
Language: English
Year: 2023
An analytical overview of the cultural, geographical, and historical framework of Greater Kurdistan.
5. Pêşmergeya Bênaw – Sheikh Mahmoud Kelawey
Language: Kurdish
Year: 2024
A biographical and historical documentation of Sheikh Mahmoud Kelawey and his role in Kurdish resistance.
6. کوردستان ناسنامەیەکی قەدەغەکراو
Language: Central Kurdish
Year: 2025
Original Kurdish edition analysing political suppression, cultural resilience, and Kurdish identity.
7. Kurdistan: A Banned Identity
Language: English
Year: 2025
English edition translated by the author for international scholarship.
8. کوردستان – هویت ممنوعە
Language: Persian (Farsi)
Year: 2025
Persian translation addressing Persian-speaking audiences and researchers.
9. Kürdistan: Yasaklı Bir Kimlik
Language: Turkish
Year: 2025
Turkish-language edition presenting the work to Turkish-speaking academic communities.
10. كوردستان: هوية ممنوعة
Language: Arabic
Year: 2026
Arabic edition adapted for readers in the Arab world, employing established academic terminology in Arabic historiography.
11. Kurdistan: Nasnameyeka Qedexekirî
Language: Northern Kurdish
Year Published: 2026
Original Kurdish edition analysing political suppression, cultural resilience, and Kurdish identity.
12. The Wild Life of Kurdistan
Language: English
Year: 2025
The Wild Life of Kurdistan is an extensive scientific and cultural study documenting the natural heritage of Greater Kurdistan. The work examines the region’s biodiversity, wildlife species, ecological zones, mountain ecosystems, river systems, and endemic flora and fauna. It also analyses the environmental challenges affecting Kurdistan, including climate change, habitat loss, and the long-term effects of regional conflict on natural ecosystems.
The book integrates biological, geographical, and cultural perspectives, highlighting the deep connection between Kurdish identity and the natural landscape. It serves as both an environmental reference work and a cultural commentary, offering valuable insights for researchers, students, conservation advocates, and readers interested in Middle Eastern ecology.
As one of the few comprehensive environmental studies of Kurdistan written in English, this book contributes significantly to the documentation and preservation of the region’s natural heritage. [1]