NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The ongoing spotlight on Kurds locally and overseas is being reflected on one business owner's effort to spread the Kurdish culture across the world.
Halmat Qazi lives in Nashville and is the founder of the online clothing brand Peshmerga. Business has grown since he began the online clothing store about four years ago, but recent news about Kurdistan have continued to put the brand on a larger scale. Most prominently, President Donald Trump's controversial decision to remove U.S. troops from northern Syria last month, essentially abandoning Kurd allies who have against ISIS.
"It's unfortunate that it brought the attention to the brand, but I'm trying to use it as a tool to shed light on what's currently going on and bring the past, present and hopefully future of Kurdistan to light," Qazi told NewsChannel 5. "On one of the patches, it said peace, love and freedom and that's not only for Kurdistan but that's for all mankind."
Qazi said his goal to bring awareness to the Kurdish cause and educate people about the culture, hence one reason naming the clothing line Peshmerga, which stands for a Kurdish freedom fighter. The few boxes he has in his warehouse office is an indication of how fast his clothes are selling. He hopes to receive a new shipment with different designs and items to replenish the demand in the U.S. and overseas by Kurds and non-Kurds.
"Kurds are the largest ethnic group in the world without a state or a country," Qazi said. "The Kurds have been a loyal friend not only to America but the entire world, and we want what every man wants and that's to be free."
On Monday, a large group of local Kurds gathered outside the federal courthouse to stand in solidarity with Kurds in Iran. They said they are being persecuted by the Iranian government for practicing basic human rights and demand for democracy and freedom. Demonstrations in recent weeks have turned deadly and killed dozens they say were Kurds.
"They need to stop killing people, there's no free speech, there's no democracy and it's absolutely a dictatorship. We are here to support them," supporter Hassan Nazi said.
Qazi has used part of the proceeds to support local causes like school and clothing drives to benefit families in Kurdistan.
