The Moorhead City Council convened to honor one of the city’s most vibrant and impactful communities: the Kurdish American population. Mayor Shelly Carlson issued a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Kurdish Heritage Month, recognizing the significant contributions of the Kurdish community to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the city.
Located in the Minnesota state in the United States of America, Moorhead is home to one of the largest Kurdish populations in the United States, second only to Nashville, Tennessee. Over the past four decades, Kurdish Americans have played a key role in shaping the city’s business, labor, education, and civic life. The proclamation highlighted the community’s ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity, diversity, and economic growth in Moorhead.
The proclamation read in part, “The Kurdish community has been an integral part of Moorhead, contributing significantly to the city’s social, cultural, and economic growth. Kurdish Americans have enriched the community through their dedication to business, labor, education, and advocacy, playing an essential role in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.”
Among the attendees at the council meeting were several prominent Kurdish community members, including Siham Amedy, the Chair of the Moorhead Human Rights Committee. Amedy, who spoke on behalf of the Kurdish community, emphasized the significance of the moment.
“March is significant for Kurdish people, as it is a time of renewal,” Amedy said. “Kurdish people have lived here for over 40 years. We are known for our resiliency and generosity, and we love our community. Despite facing oppression for decades, we have found a home here in Moorhead. We are proud to be second- and third-generation Kurdish Americans, contributing to all areas of life in this city.”
Amedy also shared a poignant reflection on Kurdish culture, stating, “Kurds stand for freedom and democracy. We are all about survival and helping our community.” She proudly wore traditional Kurdish clothing to mark the occasion, as March 10 was also recognized as Kurdish Clothes Day. The celebration of Kurdish attire reflects the community’s rich cultural heritage and unity.
The proclamation was attended by Hameed Alemadi, a longstanding member of the Kurdish community who has lived in Moorhead for over 40 years, as well as Siham’s father, Safar Amedy, and Zak Amin, a Kurdish Heritage teacher at Moorhead High School.
The arrangement for requesting the proclamation was spearheaded by Siham Amedy, in collaboration with the Kurdish American Development Organization (KADO), further highlighting the strong community ties and shared dedication to promoting Kurdish culture and heritage. In her remarks, Mayor Carlson praised the Kurdish community for its resilience and commitment to the city’s growth. “You let us be aware of the vast number of Kurdish people living in the Moorhead community. It is really nice to be able to acknowledge all the people living in our city,” Carlson said.
The proclamation also notes that Kurdish Americans in Moorhead continue to promote social justice, human rights, and cultural awareness, enhancing the fabric of the community through civic engagement and leadership.
As Kurdish Heritage Month gets underway, the community will celebrate Newroz, marking a time of reflection, renewal, and unity. The proclamation invites all residents to join in recognizing the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Kurdish people to the broader Moorhead community.
The evening closed with a sense of pride and anticipation, as the Kurdish community looks forward to continued growth and engagement in Moorhead. The efforts to honor Kurdish Americans through this month-long celebration are expected to further strengthen Moorhead’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
After the council meeting, Amedy handed the proclamation to Zak Amin to keep in his Kurdish Heritage classroom so students could see it and take pride in the community’s recognition. This gesture symbolizes the ongoing legacy of Kurdish contributions in Moorhead, inspiring future generations to honor their heritage.
