Shafa Barzani is a prominent figure in Kurdish politics, known for his involvement in public administration, diplomacy, and advocacy. He currently serves as the General Supervisor[1] of the Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 1, 1975, in Naghada, Iran, Shafa Barzani, also known as Shifa Barzani, received his primary and secondary education in Iran before completing high school in Erbil. He comes from a distinguished Kurdish lineage, being the grandson of the renowned Kurdish revolutionary leader Mullah Mustafa Barzani.
Barzani's commitment to public service began with his service in the Peshmerga from 1992 to 1996. He then pursued higher education in Germany, obtaining a German Language diploma at Ruhr University Bochum. He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Cologne (Köln), with additional coursework in Oriental Studies and New History of the US and Europe at Freie Universität Berlin. He furthered his academic pursuits by earning a Magister of International Relations from Humboldt University of Berlin.
Career
In 2005, Shafa Barzani returned to the Kurdistan Region to assume the role of Director of the Executive Office of Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, a position he held until 2017. During this time, he was involved in establishing and managing the President's office and served as a senior advisor to President Barzani.
Additionally, Shafa Barzani has represented President Barzani both domestically and internationally. He played a role in facilitating communication between President Masoud Barzani, the Peshmerga forces, and military personnel during the conflict with ISIS.
Throughout his tenure, Shafa Barzani has engaged with various world leaders, including US President Joseph Biden, French President François Hollande, and dignitaries from Gulf countries and Europe.
After 2017, he served as the General Supervisor of Barzani Headquarters until 2021.
Advocacy and Activism
Shafa Barzani assumed the position of General Supervisor of the Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation in 2021. He works to foster unity among Kurdish diaspora organizations[2] and advocates for Kurdish causes on the global stage.
Barzani's advocacy efforts include engaging with policymakers worldwide and participating in meetings[3] aimed at advancing Kurdish interests. He effectively communicates the concerns of the Kurdish community and works to promote their rights internationally.
Personal Life
Barzani is married and the proud father of three children. He is a fluent speaker of Kurdish, German, English, and Persian, with a strong command of Arabic.
- ^ Editor, English (2024-03-20). "United Kingdom Parliament Celebrates Kurdish New Year with Strong Message of Unity -". Retrieved 2024-04-24.
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Notizie dal Mondo | The Treaty of Lausanne has persecuted the Kurds for a hundred years". www.cybernaua.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ van Wilgenburg, Wladmir (20323-09-21). "Dutch Kurdish community hosts general manager of Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation". Kurdistan24.
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