Humanities Journal of University of Zakho

IRANIAN POLICY TOWARD THE ARABIAN GULF DURING THE REIGN OF REZA SHAH PAHLAVI 1926 - 1941

Hozan Mirkhan — 2025-09-30

The significance of this research lies in its examination of Iranian policy toward the Arabian Gulf during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi (1926 - 1941). The strategic geopolitical importance of the Arabian Gulf, both historically and in contemporary times, is rooted in several factor. Among them is the geographic location within the broader Middle East, alongwith its vast economic potential, particularly as one of the world’s most important oil-producing regions. As a major regional power in the Middle East and specifically in the Arabian Gulf Iran has, by virtue of its considerable economic, military, and demographic capabilities, played varying roles in the Gulf region. This was especially evident during the period from 1926 to 1941, which marked the beginning of a new phase in Iran’s relations with the Arab states, Emirates, and sheikhdoms bordering the Gulf, following Reza Shah Pahlavi’s ascension to power. This era was characterized by a complex interplay of historical ties and geographical proximity, with Iran’s relations with the Gulf states alternating between periods of tension and relative normalcy. Given the importance of this subject, the research aims to provide an accurate and realistic portrayal of Iranian policy toward the Arabian Gulf during this historical period. It highlights Iran’s efforts to assert a regional role in pursuit of political and economic gains. Additionally, the study seeks to serve as a modest academic contribution to a relatively underexplored area of historical inquiry, particularly within universities in the Kurdistan Region, and to shed light on the political and economic consequences of Iranian policies during this era.

ARTISTIC IMAGES IN THE POEMS OF MUAYYAD TAYEB

Abdulsalam Fakhri — 2025-09-30

This research attempts to introduce the poetic image of the contemporary Kurdish poet (Muayyad Tayeb) to the readers in terms of the use of poetic images and the types of images that he embodied in his poetry. This study consists of several sections which begins with an introduction to poetic imagery and then presents the origins, importance, and types of poetic imagery. After this, several poetic images are discussed such as, individual poetry images, composite poetry images, general poetry images, fixed images, moving images, images of sight, images of hearing, images of smell, images of taste, and images of touch. For each of these images, the theoretical aspects are presented first, then the practical aspects for each of these images were discussed. Three examples of our poet's poetry are given. Poetry images represent the poet's ideas. This idea can be taken from society, or from an event or an experience or a scene, the poet to express these feelings in poetry. As a painter, he needs to put this feeling into a literary form. Our chosen poet (Muayyad Tayeb) has succeeded in making poetic images into art. He has also had a broad contribution in conveying the emotions and the message, giving the recipients a poetic image of the poet's identity, and readers looking for answers to their own feelings in the poem.

REFLECTION OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO ANCIENT KURDISH NATIONS, KASSITE AND MITANNI, ON THE ART OF SEALING AND SCULPTURE IN THE SECOND MILLENNIUM BC

Salah Jehwar — 2025-09-30

The Kassites and Mitanni are considered ancient Kurdish nations. In the second millennium BC, there was a phenomenon of rivalry in ancient Kurdistan, especially between the Kassite and Mitannian political powers. During this period, the conflicting interests of these powers and political institutions began to compete for their own goals. These rivalries influenced the ceramic and metallurgical civilizations. This reflection describes the rivalry by depicting some intense scenes, especially the creation of scenes on pipe seals and sculptures. The artistic works and activities of poets during this period of history were able to express the conflicts and peaceful events in the environment of ancient Kurdistan through the creation of seals and sculptures. Mythological scenes were created on seals and statues; for example, the competition between humans and animals was depicted with lions and cows, and an animal hunt was depicted with a chariot. In the same field of sculpture, a scene of the creation of animals was depicted by placing a lion statue at the entrance to the street. The creation of all these animal statues such as lions, cows, and goats symbolize the power and rivalry of these nations among the political entities in the second millennium BC.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ELLIPSIS IN THE STRUCTURES OF THE TWO POEMS BY AHMED SHAWQI AND TAMIM AL-BARGHOUTI

Mohammed Hassan — 2025-09-30

The discussion of ellipsis is a phenomenon categorized by its emergence in inconspicuousness and its existence in absence. It is difficult to clasp due to its numerous locations and several stimuli. It gives the text semantic intensity, contributes to the production of meanings through reliance on context, and opens the way for clarifications produced by the recipient. This style is considered one of the linguistic phenomena that has many semantic benefits and contributes to achieving brevity and eloquence. It is an expression of omitting part or all of a speech for evidence or a clue. It occurs frequently in Arab speech when ambiguity is removed, and it is a common style in Arabic poetry. Ellipsis is not only a reduction in words and sentences, but it also carries deep-rooted semantic meanings. This research is a modest effort to study and analyze this phenomenon in the two Burdahs (Ahmed Shawqi and Tamim Al-Barghouthi). We studied this style by mentioning the methods of removal that appeared in the two Burdahs, such as removing words and sentences, including the deletion of the subject, predicate, verb, and agent, the deletion of the conditional clause, and the deletion of the surplus, which includes the described and the adjective, the noun and the noun complement, and the state. We presented evidence from the verses that appeared in them and analyzed them to understand the style of both poets in how they employed this style in the service of constructing linguistic structures. We found out that Ahmed Shawqi focused greatly on deleting words, while Tamim Al-Barghouthi tended greatly towards deleting sentences. These differences reflect the special artistic vision of each poet. Also, we tended to mention the semantic values of deletion and how to provide the verses and meanings with semantic and artistic charges through this style within the two poems.

EXPLORING THE FUNCTIONS OF IMPLICATURES IN NORTHERN KURMANJI

Nechirvan Jawzal — 2025-09-30

The current paper explores the functions of implicatures in Northern Kurmanji (NK). It lays concentration on the non-literal meanings (interpretation) that speakers convey beyond the literal one of either their speech or writing. Data were collected through purposive sampling from senior university students in experimental and control groups. The participants were chosen for their availability and willingness to participate. They self-recorded informal conversations to explore various functions of implicature, including explanation, criticism, empathy, contemplation, and humor. There was identification of the reasons behind implicatures, which included explanation, criticism, empathy, philosophical contemplation, and humor. The results dictate that, in one hand a strategic use of implicatures was utilized by the control group. The participants of the control group often employed implicatures to help with expressing deeper emotional and philosophical engagement. On the other hand, the experimental group used implicatures mainly for functions related to immediate and practical social exchanges. It is also found that the functions of implicatures in NK represents the cultural and contextual dynamics which denotes communicative strategies of the NK. Further studies can be explored to identify the role of implicatures in modern digital communication and to compare data across different Kurdish dialects and sociocultural contexts.

RICHARD POWERS’ THE OVERSTORY: THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF HUMAN LIVES AND TREES

Delveen Hameed — 2025-09-30

The present article examines the deep connection that binds human beings and trees in Richard Powers’s The Overstory (2018). The study examines the relationships between nine characters and different kinds of ancient trees, exploring how these connections impact their lives and represent various facets of the human condition, using an ecocritical approach as a framework. Ecocriticism is the study of the relationship between human beings and nature in literary works. In addition, the novel’s sections- Roots, Trunk, Crown, and Seeds—are named after various components of a tree. Among the key characters in the novel are Patricia Westerford, Adam Appich, Mimi Ma, and Nicholas Hoel. The decisions, conducts, and actions of these characters are largely affected by the kind of trees they grow and take assiduous effort to propagate, such as chestnuts, mulberries, banyan trees, and maple trees. The characters’ interactions with trees trigger profound changes in their lives, causing them to reevaluate their relationship with the natural world. This paper concludes that trees are living entities that influence the characters’ identity, memory, and personal growth.

THE MOST SUITABLE WORDS AND STRUCTURES

Sumaya Omar — 2025-09-30

The linguistic usage in the Holy Qur'an exhibits a unique distinctiveness، characterized by its precise selection of words over their synonyms and its syntactic structures that harmonize seamlessly with their contextual settings in an unparalleled and remarkable manner. In this study، we have selected three verses that exemplify different patterns of variation in meaning. These include variations in closely related words، such as massa (مَسَّ) and lamsa (لَمَسَ); variations in syntactic structures، such as ulū qurbā (أُولُو قُرْبَى)، ulū al-qurbā (أُولُو الْقُرْبَى)، and dhawī al-qurbā (ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى); as well as differences in the use of prepositions، such as anzalnā ʿalayk (أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ) versus anzalnā ilayk (أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ). Additionally، we examine variations in verbal forms، distinguishing between active and passive constructions، as seen in ātaynāhum al-kitāb (آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ) and ūtū al-kitāb (أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ). Such distinctions are abundant in the Qur'anic text، each serving a distinct rhetorical and semantic function.

ETHNIC TITLES IN THE 5TH – 6TH CENTURIES AH (11TH – 12TH CE) IN THE BOOK SIYAR A’LAM AL- NUBALA (BIOGRAPHIES OF NOBLE FIGURES) BY AL- DAHABI (D. 748AH/ 1347CE).

Mehvan Khalil — 2025-09-30

There is no doubt that the period of the (5^th – 6^th AH /11^th – 12^{th AD}) in the history of the Islamic state is considered a period full of important events and changes. In these two centuries, rapid and diverse transformations took place. Civil aspects were not deprived of these changes, the use of titles is an ancient phenomenon present among all peoples, and all of these peoples use titles according to their circumstances, customs, and traditions. After the advent of Islam, a new type of change arose in the use of titles, especially their circumstances, customs, and traditions, especially since this religion gave great importance to all aspects of life and beautiful dealings with each other. Islam also emphasized avoiding the use of bad titles, and the Islamic reigion permits the use of titles that do not lead to disrespect and contempt for people. During the Abbasid era, the use of titles increased for various purposes, among these diverse titles were ethnic titles, which was considered an important title. In general ethnic titles are divided into three main types. These three types of titles will be discussed, with examples of each type into the three types of ethnic titles. The impact of the use of these titles on famous figures will also be shown.

SOME EXAMPLES OF SUN LEGENDS IN THE LIGHT OF TEXTS

Remziya Mahmood — 2025-09-30

The literature of the ancient peoples of Kurdistan in the pre-Christian eras was closely intertwined with myths, epics, and stories. As humans at the time were unable to explain natural phenomena scientifically, they resorted to interpreting these occurrences through mythology. A myth typically revolves around an event that took place during an era when deities and their powers played a central role, with the notable absence of any mention of an author or writer. The peoples of Kurdistan in general—and the Hurrians and Mitanni in particular—possessed a rich civilization, history, and culture. They are considered among the most ancient and original civilizations. The history of these peoples is replete with myths and epics, which can serve as valuable sources for future generations to better understand their heritage and avoid repeating past mistakes.

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF LITERATURE TO TRANSFORM ONE’S LIFE IN ELIF SHAFAK’S THE FORTY RULES OF LOVE

Meram Shekh Mohamad — 2025-09-28

The concept of love is more than just emotions, it is a journey of self-discovery, healing and exploring the world through one’s soul. Elif Shafak’s international best-selling novel, The Forty Rules of Love (2009) has been a topic of interest for scholars for its exploration of love and Sufism. This article examines the protagonist’s journey for personal recovery of spiritual love and healing which is connected with the dynamics of her domestic relationship. The novel’s main character’s journey named Ella Rubinstein who is a dedicated mother; after reading the manuscript of Sweet Blasphemy she rethinks her life and her choices which transforms her life. Through the perspectives of Sufism and Bibliotherapy, Shafak demonstrates how the sole acts of reading and understanding the wisdom of mysticism can heal the inner wounds of self, leading to spiritual awakening. Mysticism as a spiritual path that seeks direct union with the divine goes beyond the basic comprehension of the mind solely, it engages the ultimate reality the soul, to understand the inner experience, intuition and transformation. This article explores how literature can serve as a mirror to the real world and be used as a powerful tool for personal growth. Furthermore, it examines the novel from a Sufistic and therapeutic lens, it sheds light on the transformative power of finding love for being and the profound impact of bibliotherapy.

POWER AND RESISTANCE IN TA-NEHISI COATES’S THE WATER DANCER AND KAWAI STRONG WASHBURN’S SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS

Khorsheed Rasheed — 2025-09-28

This article is an attempt to studiously explore both power and resistance and their interactions and relations along with their impacts and functions in the selected novels; Ta-Nehisi Coates’s The Water Dancer (2019), and Kawai Strong Washburn’s Sharks in the Time of Saviors (2020). It aims to focus on the way of incorporating magical elements in the narratives to redefine power dynamics in various prospective and it serves to create a magical realism that shapes the new mechanism of resistance. Both power and resistance, in this article, are conceptualized to illustrate the existing power as well as reversed forces in the life of main characters in the novels. Besides, this article employs particular concepts such as knowledge, power, and discipline as defined and explained by Michel Foucault (1926–1984) which are relevant to power and resistance. In the narrative, Ta-Nehisi Coates represents Hiram’s, the protagonist of the story, ability of conduction as a supernatural power that is stimulated by the power of memory in the novel. Throughout the magical element, the author creates an alternative reality that memory and trauma used as a source for equality and liberation. Similarly, Washburn utilizes Nainoa’s, the protagonist, miraculous ability of healing as a reversed power in a nature of resistance against existed social forces in the text. Nainoa’s supernatural ability is deeply linked to Hawaiian mythology in which it serves as a metaphorical force for recovering cultural identity and opposing existed forces that marginalize indigenous Hawaiians. Finally, this article concludes that both novels serve the function of the use of magical power in the two powers in terms of power and resistance. The authors portray power through oppressive systems, by the magical elements, both offer alternative pathways toward self-liberation. It emphasizes on inseparableness of power and resistance, besides, it highlights that magical realism provides a powerful mechanism to reimagine reality encountering social justice and equality in contemporary literature.

AN ANALYTICAL GRAMMATICAL STUDY OF THE INDECLINABLE POEMS: THE SCIENTIFIC CAUSE IN THE DIWAN OF AHMED SHAWQI- PART ONE AS MODEL

Hawa Ibrahim — 2025-09-28

After grammar the second level of language in terms of linguistic study. The importance of this study comes from the fact that it relates to the study of Quranic grammar. Which is considered the most eloquent. Highest and most sublime text ever .After it in eloquence and sublimity comes Arabic poetry. Which we have made a model for our study and we devoted a part of it to the collection of poems of one of the greatest poets of the Arab world in various eras. Namely the poet “Ahmed Shawqi”. Who was pledged allegiance to by the writers and poets of his time as the Emir of poetry so he was nicknamed (the Emir of poets). He had a unique poetic talent and a flowing spring finding no difficulty in composing poetry .And his poetic production reached what almost no ancient or modern Arab poet reached. So he was the reason for our choosing his collection to be a model for the study. The study was limited to the first part of his collection of poems of “Ahmed Shawqi” due to its breadth and the abundance of nouns that are prohibited from being declined in it . And due to the large number of reasons being prohibited from being declined. Which amount to nine reasons. I dealt only with the scientific reason for being prohibited from being declined. Which in turn is divided into six reasons. Which are: Knowledge with foreignness knowledge with feminine. Knowledge with the increase of alif and nun. Knowledge with the weight of the verb. Knowledge with justice. And knowledge with mixed composition. We explained these reason. Which are divided in to sections. And we touched on the opinions of some grammarians on them and on their head is “Sibawayh”. We defined the methodology followed in the study. Which is the inductive method by tracing the linquistic phenomenon in the first part of the diwan of “Ahmed Shawqi” . We also used an analytical method by analyzing the indeclinable words according to the six schools of thought associated with the scientific method. We concluded the research with a conclusion in which we explained the most important results we reached through induction in the poems of.

AD THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS KURDISH SCHOLARS IN THE RELIGIOUS SCIENCES IN THE KITAB AL-MUNTAZAM BY IBN AL-JAWZI (597AH / 1201 AD)

Idrees Ahmed — 2025-09-17

The Kurds had an important role in building the Islamic civilization through their participation in various religious sciences such as the sciences of the Qur’an, the sciences of hadith, jurisprudence, Sufism, and other sciences. Reliable historical sources were relied upon, in addition to the book “Al-Muntazam” by Ibn al-Jawzi (597 AH-1201 AD), which is considered the main source for this study. Other sources include the book “Tarikh Baghdad” by Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (467 AH), “Tarikh Islam al-Dhahabi” (748 AH), and “Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah” by Ibn Kathir (774 AH), in addition to other sources and some references. To study the subject in a precise scientific and rigorous manner, it has been divided into thematic axis, which are: the theme on the sciences of the Holy Qur’an, the theme of the Noble Prophetic Hadith, the theme on the jurisprudence, and a theme on other sciences such as Sufis.

ISLAMIC VALUE-BASED COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION AS A FRAMEWORK FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Sri Nurhayati — 2025-09-14

Rural waste management presents multifaceted challenges, particularly where cultural and religious values strongly shape environmental practices. This study examines the integration of Islamic ethical principles within a community-driven waste management framework to strengthen environmental stewardship, foster sustained community engagement, and generate socio-economic benefits. Using a qualitative case study methodology, research was conducted at an Integrated Waste Management and Recycling Center (IWMRC) in a rural Indonesian village. Before the establishment of the IWMRC, local waste practices relied heavily on unregulated dumping and open burning, resulting in substantial environmental and public health risks. Since the center’s operation in 2019–2024, the IWMRC has managed approximately 60 tons of waste annually, produced 20 tons of compost, and generated Rp 9,600,000 (USD 600) per year in revenue through waste bank activities, with active participation from about 280 local households and vendors (representing approximately 56% of the community). Thematic analysis reveals that Islamic values such as Khilafah (stewardship), Taharah (cleanliness), Amanah (trustworthiness), and Shura (consultative governance) are systematically embedded in technical operations and community education, guiding waste segregation, composting, and public learning. Circular economy principles, realized through waste bank programs, offer economic incentives that empower residents and improve livelihoods. Governance structures founded on justice (Adl), public welfare (Maslahah), and inclusive consultation support institutional resilience and sustainability. While early results are promising, this study acknowledges the limited follow-up period and recommends continued monitoring to assess long-term outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for culturally attuned and sustainable waste management in Muslim-majority rural contexts.

MAJOR AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS AND THEIR COVERAGE OF THE 1991 IRAQI KURDISTAN UPRISING: A STUDY OF EVENTS AND OFFICIAL POSITIONS

Ayhan Taher — 2025-08-26

The March 1991 revolt in Iraqi Kurdistan marked a watershed moment in the Kurdish people's battle for national rights. The rebellion began in the aftermath of the Second Gulf War, taking advantage of the Iraqi army's vulnerability following its defeat and popular anger with Saddam Hussein's regime, coinciding with an uprising in southern Iraq. The revolt was marked by widespread participation from diverse elements of the Kurdish people, who gained control of the majority of Kurdish cities and territories, demanding the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and the establishment of Kurdish autonomy. Major American publications provided significant coverage of the March rebellion, which focused on reporting events in Kurdistan and Iraq. These newspapers sought to present a realistic picture of what was happening on the ground, shedding light on the political positions of the US government and Kurdish leaders. This media coverage provided an important account of the developments of the uprising and its international repercussions, highlighting the important role of journalism in documenting historical events.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT AND SELF-COMPASSION AMONG KOYA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Bayar Aziz — 2025-08-20

This study aims to find out the level of academic adjustment, self-compassion as well as reveal the level of each of these variables according to demographic variables (gender, accommodation). Also, it aims to find out the relationship between academic adjustment and self-compassion among students at Koya University. The research population consisted of (3585). The sample was (350) students randomly selected at Koya University. Two scales were employed in this study; one scale is the adapted academic adjustment scale by Anderson et al (2016), and self-compassion scale which is adapted from Neff (2003). The validity and reliability of the instruments were at a convinced level. The results showed that the students have a bad level of academic adjustment and a high level of self-compassion; there is no statistically significant difference in their level of academic adjustment and self-compassion according to the variables (gender and place of residence). The results also showed a statistically significant positive relationship between academic adjustment and self-compassion. Furthermore, the result indicated that academic adjustment was predicted based on self-compassion. Finally, the study presented some suggestions and recommendations.

THE MOSQUE OF PROPHET YUNUS (PEACE BE UPON HIM) IN THE WAQF REGISTER OF THE MOSUL PROVINCE DURING THE LATE OTTOMAN PERIOD

Majid Younis — 2025-07-01

The Mosque of Prophet Yunus (PBUH) is considered one of the most historically significant mosques in the Islamic world in general, and in Iraq in particular. It has received considerable attention from Muslims at large as well as from rulers, including caliphs, kings, and presidents across various historical periods. Beyond its religious significance, it is renowned as one of Iraq’s archaeological and historical landmarks, believed by the public to contain the tomb of Prophet Yunus (PBUH). This study explores the history of this mosque as a prominent center for religious, administrative, scientific, and public service activities. It particularly focuses on the key functions it performed during the final phase of the Ottoman era—specifically in the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century—based on information recorded in the Ottoman Endowment Register of Mosul.