On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Nashville Kurdish Community received two official proclamations recognizing the 50th anniversary of Kurdish arrivals to the United States. One came from the office of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and the second was issued through the Metropolitan Council, led by Council Member Mike Cortese. The Metro Council proclamation was also co-signed by Council Member At-Large Zulfat Suara and 11 additional council members.

The recognition was an initiative spearheaded by the Kurdistani Diaspora Center (KDC). During the Metropolitan Council meeting, Ipek Ismael, Vice President of KDC in Nashville, presented a statement highlighting the historic ties between the United States and the Kurdish people. Ismael told Kurdistan Chronicle that she worked closely with Cortese on the Metro council proclamation while also coordinating with the Mayor’s Office to help bring about the official mayoral recognition.

“The proclamations represent more than formal recognition,” she said. “They honor the sacrifices of the first Kurdish families who came to the United States, celebrate the generations who have built their lives in Nashville and the United States, and recognize the lasting contributions of the Kurdish community to the city.”

At the meeting, Hikmat Bamarni, Director of the Seventh Branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the United States, expressed sincere appreciation for the support the United States has provided to the Kurdish people. “We are Kurdish, but proud Americans,” he said, extending his thanks to all who contributed to the effort by providing vital historical background to ensure that the half-century legacy of Nashville’s Kurdish population was properly recognized.

Read more: Commemorating Half a Century of Kurdish Arrival in the U.S.

This initiative reflects KDC’s broader mission of strengthening relationships between the Kurdish community and civic leaders while ensuring ongoing recognition of Kurdish history, culture, and contributions.

Nashville is home to one of the largest Kurdish communities in the United States. The city’s ties to the Kurdistan Region were formally strengthened on September 9, 2023, when Erbil and Nashville established sister-city status, marking a notable step in expanding cultural and civic cooperation.