On Friday, October 16, 2026, government officials in Moorhead, Minnesota held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially rename Johnson Farms Park to “Friendship Park.” The change celebrates an expanding partnership between Moorhead and Zakho, a city in the Kurdistan Region.

The event brought together Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson, local leaders, members of the Kurdish community, and veterans to honor the bond between the two cities.

During the event, Mayor Carlson highlighted the city’s commitment to recognizing its vibrant local Kurdish population.

“Friendship Park embodies the spirit of our growing relationship with Zakho,” said Mayor Carlson. “This name represents who we are and what we value as a welcoming community, serving as a lasting symbol of our commitment to this cherished bond.”

Guhdar Shekho, Head of the Zakho Independent Administration, was unable to attend the ceremony in person but sent a letter of gratitude that was read to attendees by Sean Brandenburg, director of Moorhead Parks and Recreation.

“Moorhead is my second home,” Shekho wrote, extending an invitation for community members to visit Zakho and the Kurdistan Region. “I am proudly grateful for this partnership between Zakho and Moorhead.”

The park renaming builds upon a formal friendship city proclamation previously signed between civic leaders in Moorhead and the Zakho Independent Administration. The municipal initiative aims to foster cultural exchange, educational engagement, and community cooperation while recognizing Moorhead’s local Kurdish population — which, estimated at approximately 4,000 residents, represents the largest Kurdish community in Minnesota.“For me, opening Friendship Park is historic. It means so much because it shows that our city leaders truly care about the Kurdish community,” said Jihan Birfiki, a Kurdish activist and advisor to the Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation in the United States.Birfiki noted that establishing the park required persistent effort and close collaboration, including repeated meetings with city leaders. She added that conversations with local military veterans were especially meaningful, recalling their praise for the courage of the Kurdish people and their key role supporting U.S. forces.

Beyond symbolic gestures, the agreement between Zakho and Moorhead has yielded practical educational and civic achievements. On August 14, 2026, two students from the University of Zakho arrived in Minnesota to begin studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Their arrival marked the first formal academic exchange under a memorandum of understanding between the two higher education institutions.

Read more: Minnesota State University Moorhead Partners with University of Zakho

Civic cooperation has extended into practical municipal services and international aid. Kurdish residents in Moorhead can now take written driver’s license tests in both the Sorani and Kurmanji dialects of Kurdish. Furthermore, local community efforts recently mobilized vital aid to Kurdistan.

“Two weeks ago, we sent a major shipment of medical equipment to Zakho,” Birfiki said. “Purchasing that equipment new would have cost the local government in Zakho over $1 million.”

Looking ahead, community leaders plan to raise funds to add features inspired by Kurdish architecture to Friendship Park, including a scaled model of the historic Delal Bridge in Zakho.

“I want this to be a place everyone can enjoy — not just the Kurdish community,” Birfiki highlighted. “Anyone should be able to visit, learn a little about Kurdish culture and history, and enjoy the park.”

The dedication follows broader cultural exchange efforts between Minnesota and the Kurdistan Region. In November 2025, a delegation of Minnesota community leaders, academics, and entrepreneurs embarked on a visit to the Kurdistan Region, meeting with officials, visiting academic institutions, and exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Read more: A Minnesotan’s View from Kurdistan