Who we are...

A simplified identification and introduction:

The Faili Kurds are an essential part of the great Kurdish people and they speak the Kurdish language in the Laurie accent. The roots of the Faili Kurds go back to the Indo-Aryan (Europeans). They have embraced Islam since the very beginning of the Islamic conquer of Iraq and Persia ( Iran). When the Safawie held the power in Persia, the Faili Kurds turned to the Shiite Gafarean doctrine as a result of being so near to Persia and being exposed to conquer Persian leaders, and being subjects to their control in different periods of history.

As for the name (Faili), there is more than one explanation. In his book (The lexicon of countries),Yaqout Al Hamawi mentions that the Failis are those who reside mountains that separates Iran and Iraq and that they are as huge as elephants . Another explanation goes to a different direction as it says that the name belong to the ruler of the mentioned area. But what we can assure is that the Failis are still there in spite of the trials of those that deny their existence and want them to be loosed in other entities, but in vain.

There are many who discussed this subject in their books, such as Khesrau Goran who discussed it in his book " Kurdistan through eyes " volume I Stockholm 1992 P 152 : 161.

Their homeland:

Since the ancient times the Faili Kurds have lived in the border area between Iraq and Iran, which consists of the Zagros Mountains and cliffs. They live on the two sides of this mountain in Iran and Iraq and they call it (Kabier Koh), i.e. the great Mountain .The areas in the Iraqi side from north to south are the following: Khaneqien, Shahraban (now its called Al-Meqdadia), Mandalie, Badrah, Zorbateyah, Jassan, Al - Kut, Al - Azizyah, in addition to number of cites in the area of Shaikh Sa’ad, Ali Shrqi, Ali Gharbi, and Al - Kofah. But as early as the first decade of the 20th. century , many Failis moved to Baghdad and lived in its center so that we can find some areas which are called after them such as the Kurdish quarter , the Kurdish alley , and the Kurdish street . On the Iranian side, the Kurdish live in the following area from north to south:

Qassre Sherien , Kerman Shah , Karand, western Islam Abad ( previously Shah Abad ) ,Sarpol Zahab , Ilam , Saleh Abad , Moseyan , Badrah , Dahloran , and Andimashek .

The basic activity of the people on the border area is agriculture and sheep-herder. They plant wheat, oats and summer vegetables on the hills. There are also some natural sources in the area such as oil (petrol) and natural gas.

In the northern area people use Al-Wand River which flows out from the Iranian Mountains area down to Khanqin, which pours into Tigris River. There are also a few channels and wells. As for the weather itīs very dry and the mountains there are usually covered with lays of snow which melts in the summer to irrigate in the lands .In summer many people move with their sheep herds to the top of the mountains because there are wide areas of grass and when the winter comes they go back to their villages. There are some Kurds that work in trade and goods exchange and other free works. The Kurdish people have proved to be so persistent and civilized as they studied hard to join the universities of the main cities and got good jobs. In the book Ameroir of Baghdad issued by El Rais publishing house Cyprus 1993,the ex minister Mosa Al Shabandar described the life of the Faili Kurds .

The proximate population of the Faili Kurds is about 2.5 millions in Iraq , and 3 million in Iran.

The Faili Kurds in the Iraqi Society:

The existence of the Faili Kurds in Iraq has never been marginal, on contrary it has been elective on all levels and participated in all political, social, cultural, and economical activities as explained thereunder:

Politically:

The Faili Kurds have contributed and taken part in the political activities against the dictatorial governments of Iraq through joining the national Iraqi parties such as the Iraqi communist party, the Kordistani Democratic party (KDP), and the National Union of Kordistan. Many of the Kurds become active cadres in some organizations such as El Da’awa Islamic party, and the Islamic Action organization The Faili Kurds have presented many martyrs defending their existence and the rights of the whole Iraqi society .We may call to minds that there were few cadres of the Failis in AlīBaath party during its reign 1963 - 1968 but Sadam Husain got rid of them as he did with many others of his followers as well.

Socially and Culturally:

The Faili Kurds have a very effective rule in social and culture life, as they have a part in establishing educational, social centers and athletics clubs such as Nadi al Failiya, al-Madrasah al- Failiyah, youth and women associations and this rule have been assured by the existence of so many famous Faili Kurds in different fields. They have also taken part in establishing religious centers and mosques by spreading the religious awareness. There are good numbered Faili Kurd priests and diviners whom graduated from the Islamic instutions,and they are responsible for teaching people in the mosques and religious centers.

Economically:

The Faili Kurds have had a great economical and commercial weight especially in Baghdad, and also have had great capitals, companies and factories. This great weight pushed Saddam to confiscate their capitals and properties and expel them to Iran, claiming that they are not genuine Iraqis and that they are Iranians.

The Faili Kurds Communities in the world

The Faili Kurds are scattered around the world so are the Iraqi people.These are the major places which they live in,but a few others live in other countries and cities.

IRAN-Tehran-Ilam-Kermanshah and other cities

SYRIEN

SWEDEN-Stockholm-Gothenburg-Malmo and other cities

FINLAND-Helsenki

DANMARK-Copenhagen

NORGE-Oslo-Bergen

UK-London-Manchester

GERMANY-Berlin-Frankfurt-Hamburg-Koln-Menchen

AUSTRIA-Vienne

CANADA-Toronto-Ottwa-Montreal

SWITZERLAND

FRANCE

AUSTRALIA

ARGENTINA

USA

RUSSIA-Moscow