Farooq Rafiq, a prominent figure in Kurdish literature and philosophy and editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Awez, passed away on Tuesday in his home due to heart problems.

Rafiq was a Kurdish writer, intellectual, critic, and researcher in the field of philosophy, born in the city of Sulaymaniyah in 1959. 

Rafiq obtained a PhD in philosophy from a Canadian university and lived in Canada for several years before returning to the Kurdistan Region.

Read More: Awez Journal: Fostering a Culture of Enlightenment in Kurdistan

Rafiq also worked in media and served as editor-in-chief of Awez, a publication dedicated to philosophy and science.

Among Farooq Rafiq’s most important published works are Pax Americana (The Era of American Hegemony – an interview with Farooq Rafiq compiled by Nask Qadir, 2002), Collective Sorrows (two volumes, 2006-2008), Reconciling Reason and Love (Liberal Education and Civil Ethics), One Hour Left Until Midnight (2009), The Art of Love (2010), Stories of the East Before the Mirror of God’s Essence (a poetry collection published in 2006), Philosophy and Life (2009), The Art of Philosophy (a metaphysical lecture, 2010), and A Station in a Philosophical Journey (2011).

In a statement on Tuesday, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani extended his condolences on the passing of Rafiq “to his family, relatives, friends, and companions.”

Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani also extended his condolences to Rafiq’s “family, relatives, and all writers and intellectuals of Kurdistan.

“The late Farooq Rafiq, through his sharp intellect and powerful pen, made a significant contribution to Kurdish literature and culture, especially in the fields of philosophy and intellectual research. His passing is the loss of an effective and highly capable writer,” President Nechirvan Barzani stated.