New superstition emerges in Diyarbakir
Also in Turkey
AKP lawmaker labels Kurdistan Region's role in PKK disarmament 'very important'
Erdogan vows action against magazine over alleged religious insult
Turkey's Erdogan grants amnesty to ill Kurdish prisoner
DEM Party pushes for parliamentary commission to shape PKK peace process
A+ A-
A new superstition has taken hold in the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir (Amed) in southeastern Turkey.
Locals and tourists believe that if someone makes a wish and walks around the Sheikh Matar Mosque, known for its iconic four-legged minaret, seven times, their prayers and wishes will be granted.
However, Islamic clerics caution that such practices have no basis in Islam and should not be considered part of the faith.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
43 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Israel-Iran war, silent transformations in western Asia
The 12-day Israel-Iran war stands as one of the most consequential events of the first quarter of the 21st century, with the potential to reshape both the economic landscape and the political-security dynamics of western Asia. Much like the Six-Day Arab-Israeli War of 1967, which extended beyond mere territorial occupation, the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel was not solely about missile exchanges and nuclear ambitions. Beyond the overt military dimensions, the war was also aimed at strategically distancing Tehran from its deepening ties with China and Russia, while simultaneously curbing the expansion of the pan-Shia movement led by Iran. In this sense, the conflict served a role analogous to that of the 1967 war, which effectively halted the rise of the pan-Arab movement spearheaded by Gamal Abdel Nasser and supported by Moscow. Regardless of whether it is referred to as "Operation Rising Lion," "True Promise," or "Midnight Hammer," it is evident that this war is quietly transforming the regional landscape. Syria appears to be entering a new phase, aimed at establishing the foundations of governance, while the regional influence of both Turkey and the Gulf states is expanding. In parallel, the issue of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) disarmament has progressed into a new stage, influenced by the broader consequences of the conflict. Moreover, the war has turned Iraq and the Kurdistan Region into arenas for two major regional rivalries. On one front, these areas have become a battleground for military competition between Iran and Israel, a dynamic that has pushed Iraq's internal situation to the edge of crisis - where "unknown drones" have emerged as key players in shaping the security environment. On another front, Iraq is increasingly becoming a site of strategic contention between Turkish and Iranian interests. Additionally, the war - and even the anticipation of it - has compelled Turkey to quietly engage in a discourse aimed at redefining its nation-state identity, particularly through the rhetoric of Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood. Simultaneously, within Iran, a growing debate between the ultra-conservative faction and other elements of the political elite reflects yet another dimension of the war's subtle but enduring influence - an influence that appears likely to persist. Iraq: between the hammer of war and the anvil of rivalry Iraq's current situation appears increasingly precarious as the country approaches elections under the shadow of both ongoing regional conflict and intensifying geopolitical rivalry - developments that may, as in previous instances, prove decisive for its future. In relation to the recent war, Iraq has formally protested the violation of its airspace sovereignty, but this issue is only one dimension of a broader and more complex set of challenges. On the day the conflict ended, two of Iraq's radar systems were destroyed, and in the days that followed, unidentified drones emerged as a growing security concern, appearing in areas ranging from Kirkuk to Sulaimani and Duhok. The Iraqi government is currently conducting investigations to determine the origins of these incursions. While some have speculated that the Islamic State (ISIS) may be responsible, this theory does not align with the group's current limited military and organizational capabilities. In reality, only three regional actors possess the capacity to conduct such drone operations across the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk: Turkey, Iran and affiliated 'resistance' groups, and Israel. At a time when the world is closely monitoring the PKK disarmament negotiations, it is unlikely that Turkey would risk undermining the process, especially since the nature and targets of the drone activity do not suggest Turkish involvement. Both Iran and Israel remain highly sensitive to the strategic positioning of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq more broadly. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, the Kurdistan Region adopted a stance of silent neutrality during the recent conflict. However, this neutrality has failed to satisfy either Iran or Israel, each of which interprets the Region's posture through its own security and strategic lens. Whether war resumes or not, the Kurdistan Region's geographic and strategic location renders it critically important to the offensive and defensive calculations of both parties. At this stage, the identity of the actors behind the drone incidents remains unknown. Nonetheless, the prevailing interpretation is that these incidents constitute strategic signaling, intended more as a message than as direct acts of aggression or destruction. The ambiguity surrounding these developments underscores the fragile and volatile security environment in which Iraq now finds itself - caught between the hammer of regional warfare and the anvil of great-power rivalry. Another point is that the possibility of Iraq being caught up in war due to the balance of power in the region is always open, because Iraq is important to Iran to protect its last regional bastion, but it's also important to Israel to keep a gateway to reach Iran open and prevent a problem from forming through Iraq. It seems that in the future, beyond security and military matters, Iraq will increasingly become a field of economic competition and influence between Turkey and Iran, and this will translate into political tension.
Rudaw Net
43 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Around 60 French companies to invest in Kurdistan Region: Official
Also in Kurdistan Over 30 Westerners invited to PKK disarmament ceremony: Source Youth migration intensifies in Sulaimani town amid economic despair KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes Sulaimani town uses cameras, fines to curb littering A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Some 60 French companies are set to visit and invest in the Kurdistan Region in the coming days as part of efforts between Erbil and Paris to strengthen bilateral ties, a Kurdish official said on Monday. 'Fifty to 60 French companies were supposed to visit the Kurdistan Region this month, but due to the Iran-Israel war and the instability of the regional airspace, it was postponed a bit. Now we are in contact with the French consulate [in Erbil] to determine an appropriate time,' Bargasht Akreyi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's Board of Investment, told Rudaw on Monday. The initiative is expected to create thousands of job opportunities and pave the way for French brands to establish a presence in the Region. Akreyi further stated that the expected investment of French companies in the Kurdistan Region "will lead to the creation of thousands of job opportunities." The companies are from the agriculture, energy, technology, and tourism sectors, according to Akreyi. They are set to meet with local companies in the same fields to foster mutual understanding. "Several famous French brands are set to open branches of their companies in the Kurdistan Region,' he noted. Officials and business leaders from Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and France met in Paris in May for a major forum to boost trade and investment, with Baghdad and Erbil pushing to expand international partnerships by presenting the country as stable, attractive destination for foreign companies. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been stepping up efforts to diversify the economy by strengthening the private sector. As of May 2024, French investments in the Kurdistan Region stood at around $3 billion across multiple sectors, according to France's Consul General in Erbil Yann Braem. The bond between France and the Kurdish people dates back to the 1980s, when Danielle Mitterrand, then First Lady of France, became a vocal advocate for Kurds oppressed under the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Mitterand played an instrumental role in the establishment of the no-fly zone over the Kurdistan Region after the 1991 Gulf War, providing protection that enabled Kurds to establish autonomy. She remains affectionately known as the 'Mother of the Kurds' and inaugurated the first Kurdish parliament in 1992. France was also among the first nations to open a consulate in Erbil after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, and played a critical role in supporting Kurdish and Iraqi forces during the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) that began in 2014. Solin Hamadamin contributed to this article.
Rudaw Net
2 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Over 30 Westerners invited to PKK disarmament ceremony: Source
Also in Kurdistan Youth migration intensifies in Sulaimani town amid economic despair KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes Sulaimani town uses cameras, fines to curb littering Turkish soldier death toll from methane exposure in Kurdistan Region rises to 12 A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dozens of figures, including over 30 people from Europe and the US, have been invited to the expected disarmament ceremony of the first batch of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters in Sulaimani province, a well-informed source told Rudaw on Monday. "From northern Kurdistan [southeast Turkey] and Turkey, nearly 50 political, intellectual, and public figures have been invited; also from Europe and America, more than 30 parliamentarians, academics, and political figures will participate,' the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. 'All major international media outlets have been invited,' he added. The Kurdistan Community Union (KCK), an umbrella group that includes the PKK, has invited the Kurdistan Region's political parties and journalists to the event as well, the source noted, expecting the ceremony to be held between Wednesday and Saturday. The PKK announced its dissolution in May, in response to a February call by its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to end the conflict that has claimed around 40,000 lives and pursue a political path to securing Kurdish political and cultural rights. At the disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani, PKK fighters will destroy their weapons rather than hand them over to any other authority, Rudaw has learned. A delegation from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) will also attend the ceremony. The DEM Party is mediating peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state. A DEM Party delegation visited Ocalan on Sunday, relaying a positive message from him. The delegation is expected to meet with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday afternoon. Soran Hussein contributed to this article.
