LONDON – A charity evening in London, filled with discussion, music, poetry, film and art, raised awareness and funds for Kurds suffering under the onslaughts of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Some 300 people attended Sunday’s four-and-a-half hour long event titled “Tales of Genocide” in Notting Hill, organized by Compassion for Kurdistan, a charity run by volunteers and philanthropists from the Kurdish diaspora.
ISIS attacks on the town of Kobane in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) since last month have moved Kurds around the world, especially in Europe, where there were protests all last week across the continent calling for greater Western support.
In London on Sunday, hundreds converged outside the offices of the British Broadcasting Corp., protesting against ISIS and Turkish inaction over Kobane.
Popular British comedian and actor Russel Brand came out in support of Kobane, attending a weekend demonstration organized by the Kurdish Society at London’s School of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS).
The Notting Hill event began with a seminar on the psychological effects of genocide on victims, perpetrators and bystanders.
Comedian Kae Kurd, who played master of ceremonies, said the aim of the evening was to move away from the traditional means of raising awareness. “We gone beyond camping outside government buildings, we are trying to engage people in different ways,” he said.
An art exhibition by Dr Osman Ahmed, “Documenting the Anfal Genocide through Drawing,” featured drawings from direct interviews with survivors of the genocide in a series of sketches and testimonies.
The moving illustrations showed the grim suffering of Kurdish refugees. One showed how a man was humiliated in front of his two daughters by forcing him between the two girls. His wife died of grief and the girls were never seen again.
Works were donated by many talented artists, the organizers said.
Ranja Faraj, another member of the organizing team, said he was hoping the auctions would raise around 2,000 pounds for two charities, Heyva Sor A Kurdistane and the Rwanage Foundations. The night ended with a collection exceeding 3,000 pounds.
“We try to help our brothers and sisters as much as we can back home -- the people that have been affected by the onslaught of ISIS,” explained Faraj. “We want to celebrate Kurdish culture, as well as offer a current view of what’s going on, and of course raise funds for a good cause.”
Ari Murad, who was part of the event team, also contributed artistically by presenting a short documentary called “The Kurdish Winter,” featuring stories from the Anfal genocide and told by those who lived through it.
Benar Kader, a young Kurdish girl raised in Norway but living in London said she really enjoyed the event. “It’s great that people come together to raise awareness, and I really didn’t expect this much. I have seen some wonderful paintings and I'm impressed by the work and effort put behind tonight's event.”
