The renowned Iraqi and international musician and singer, Ilham Al-Madfai, has chosen Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, to launch his first concerts for the Christmas and New Year holidays. He explained, "I feel optimistic about my audience here and about my fellow Iraqis—Kurds, Arabs, and people of all other ethnicities and religions—who are brought together by Erbil, or Hawler as I prefer to call it." He added, "Iraqi society is a blessed, colorful tapestry woven from diverse ethnicities, religions, and sects for over seven thousand years, forming a magnificent mosaic."
Al-Madfai proudly proclaims his Kurdish roots, stating, "I am Ilham bin Hassan Fahmi Al-Madfai. My father's surname is Dziyi, and 'Al-Madfai' refers to the military rank he served in from the beginning." He further explained, "My mother is also from the Shirwani tribe, specifically from Shirwan Mazin. My family and my entire history are here, but I never had the opportunity to come and stay for a while. However, for years now, I have been coming here to relax and feel happy among the genuine Kurds, and I chose to perform in Erbil out of all the concert offers I received." Al-Madfa’i explains: “I am not a guest in the Kurdistan Region, but rather Erbil is my city, and everyone knows that my origins are Kurdish (Dzeyi). Here I feel safe and I am among my family and friends, in Erbil, which is constantly developing and progressing forward.” He adds: “I feel proud and have a wonderful feeling because I am in the Kurdistan Region, which I am keen to visit regularly.”
Ilham Al-Madfai performs a concert in Erbil
