You may be aware that Nashville is home to the biggest population of Kurdish people in the United States — Kurds, who are considered the largest ethnic group in the world without a sovereign state. But one Curious Nashville listener asked how Nashville came to be such a destination for Kurds. The answer is multi-layered.
From Kurdistan to Nashville
In this episode, we’ll unpack how Nashville became a destination for Kurdish refugees starting in the late 1970s and then hear from local Kurds about their future hopes and ambitions for their community.
Nashville’s Kurdish community celebrates Newroz with thousands attending the first new year event since the pandemic began
As thousands of Kurds gathered to celebrate Newroz, marking the new year, on Sunday, Mayor John Cooper announced that he had signed a declaration making March Kurdish Heritage Month in Nashville.
First Kurdish American wins top prize at Tennessee Craft for textile work that captures the immigrant experience
This year, for the first time, the top prize at a biennial exhibit of Tennessee Craft has gone to an artist from the state’s Kurdish community.
Kurdish Market Devastated By Flooding Reopens In Time For Eid
With the community’s help, a family-owned Kurdish market in South Nashville that was damaged by flooding hopes to salvage part of the store’s most profitable season.
A Community Loss Has Led Some Nashville Kurds To Sign Up For A COVID Vaccine
A prominent death softened many Kurds’ resistance to the idea of vaccination, but new questions have arisen.
Nashville Police Can Now Wear Hijabs. But For One MNPD Hopeful, The Change Comes Too Late
Maryam Mohammed hoped to be the first Nashville police officer to wear a hijab. But records obtained by WPLN News show department leadership repeatedly told her she would not be allowed to wear her headscarf if accepted to the academy, because it violated the uniform policy.
‘Like A Punch In The Gut’: A Kurdish Market In Nashville Floods Just Two Weeks Ahead Of Ramadan
“It’s just more than a convenience store,” says a close friend of the owners. “It’s been kind of like a second home for a lot of people.”
Nashville Kurds Are United Against U.S. Troops Pulling Out Of Syria, Divided In Support Of Trump
A peace rally drew several hundred people to downtown Nashville on Friday in opposition to President Trump’s decision to pull U.S. troops from Syria….
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