The impact of religious diversity on the Kurdish identity within a geopolitical framework

Importance. The Kurds are currently dispersed across four countries (Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq), which are quite negative towards them, trying to suppress expression of their identity. Historiographically, the Kurdish issue is usually perceived as another obstacle to regional stability in the Middle East, but the uniqueness of their position forces us to look at the situation from a different perspective. The aim of the study is to prove that the experience of asymmetric interaction of Kurds with various social actors can be extrapolated to address the problem of long-term stability in the Middle East and the resolution of other conflicts.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity; chronological and structural methods and comparative analysis are used.

Results and Discussion. The novelty of the study is that it allows us to consider the religious heterogeneity of the Kurds as a possible positive factor that can be used to build a new Kurdish identity. The peculiarities of the situation of the Kurds in different territories, including in a religious context, are also analyzed. The trends in ethnic relations in the territories of four nearby countries (Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey) are determined.

Conclusion. The eclectic nature of Kurdistan’s religious composition has greatly influenced Kurdish political identity, and despite external divisive factors, the diverse Kurdish population is united due to its culture of tolerance, which stems from its long history of diverse religious traditions. At the same time, it complicates their interactions with the neighbouring states that are intolerant of dissent and other faiths.

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