The Behdini speaking Kurds of Iraq
One finds the Behdini speaking Kurds of Iraq in the north­ern most portions of the country, in the region of ancient Nineveh near the regional capitals of Mosul and Dohuk. There are about 1,7 million Behdini speaking Kurds in Iraq. Behdini is related to Kurmanji which is spoken by about 10 million people worldwide.

The entire Kurdish ethnic group numbers about 35 million people, who live mainly in south-east Turkey, western Iran, north­ern Iraq and northern Syria. Germany has the largest number of Kurds living in one place outside of the Middle East (more than 400,000 Kurds live there at the moment). Some Kurds consider their ancestors to be the Medes who are mentioned in the Bible. The various Kurdish tribes and clans have an important role to play in every-day life.

The most important holiday of the Kurds is their New Year’s festival, which is traditionally celebrated on 21 March. On its eve bonfires are lit in the whole region around the Kurdish villages and towns, in remembrance of the legendary liberation of Kurdis­tan from an oppressing king. Special pastries are baked for this day of festivity and new colorful clothes are worn. Many Kurds drive to the mountains on their New Year’s Day to celebrate the festival with a picnic with family and friends.

More than 90 % of the Behdini speaking Kurds are Sunni Muslim, but in reality most practice superstitious folk Islam. Besides Islam some Northern Kurds are involved in the Yezidi religion which is a complex pre-Islamic belief possibly related to Zoroastrianism. The main Yezidi sanctuary is found in Lalish, not far from Dohuk.

All Kurdish languages (Kurmanji, Behdini, Sorani) are related to Persian and belong to the Indo-European language family. They are not related at all to Turkish, a member of the Ural-Altaic language family, or to Arabic, a member of the Semitic language family.

According to the different towns and regions, there are many dialects. At the moment only the gospel of John has been pub­lished in Behdini. Other portions of the New Testament are being circulated, but are still being revised. The Jesus film in Behdini was broadcast on Kurdish TV in Northern Iraq.

Despite the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in the Spring of 2003, the Kurds feel much insecurity concerning their future, but they are thankful for their liberation (they were oppressed by him). At the moment, Behdini may be taught in schools in the Kurdish Autonomous Region. The present president of Iraq is a Kurd and it can be hoped that autonomy of the Kurds will remain part of the new Iraq. Creating their own political state, however, cannot ultimately solve the Kurds’ problems. True peace can only come through the Kingdom of God.

• Pray for the very small number of Christians among the Behdini speaking Kurds. May they put their trust fully in King Jesus, while grow­ing and being strengthened in the faith. 
• May the numbers of new believers grow in numbers and establish new congregations of believers. 
• Pray also that the complete New Testament can be translated into Behdini as soon as possible, be approved for publication, printed and distributed. May audio and video versions of the Gospel

.