Triggered to Thinking

Chapter 1 – Of Kurds, Curses and Jam

The first chapter begins by describing the loss of Kurdish lives that came from Saddam Hussein and chemical weapons. An expression is stated: “We have jam, but there is no jam. Jam exists, but it does not exist here. The spirit of jam is with us but not the incarnation” (Mansfield, 4). Mansfield describes the tragedies that befell the Kurds in the 1990s, primarily due to the civil war between the two main Kurdish parties and economic sanctions that made life hard (Mansfield, 6).

Mansfield retells how when he visited Kurdistan years later, new laws allowed for all religions to be taught equally, and extensive knowledge of Islam was no longer a requirement for graduation (Mansfield, 11). The chapter ends with the author talking with the local Kurds who were traumatized from prior wars and visiting a jam store.

Chapter 2 – The Times of the Kurdish People

This chapter begins by giving an overview of the history of the areas related to modern Kurdistan, which includes the rise of the Persian Empire and Islam. Saladin is mentioned as he is of Kurdish descent. A history of the Iraqi government denying rights to the Kurdish people is described. The history of Kurdish political parties like the KDP and PUK are described. A short exposé of the life and actions of Mullah Mustafa Barzani is listed on pages 41–42. He extensively fought for Kurdish rights and died in Washington, DC, in 1979. He would serve the Kurdish people and even those who disagreed with him (Mansfield, 43).

Chapter 3 – Aky, Aky Hartz

This chapter begins by explaining how many Kurds live in Nashville, and they were drawn there by the hit song called “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Cyrus. Many Kurds came to Nashville starting from 1976 and then later in 1990 to escape Saddam Hussein’s reign and his payback for their failed attempt to overthrow the government of Iraq. A Kurdish man named Asan gives his stories of the mass killings inflicted by Saddam. The writer explained that, “The Kurds first captured me by simply inviting me to belong; this is, I believe, the radiating message of the Kurdish soul” (Mansfield, 60). Mansfield talks about the amazing Kurdish hospitality he experienced when he visited Kurdish houses.

Chapter 4 – A Kurdish Tale

This chapter discusses the history of the word “Iraq” and explains how the name was probably a derivative of the name for the ancient city Uruk. This chapter discusses the origin of the state of Iraq and the crimes they committed against the Kurds. A common Kurdish saying is examined in this chapter: “The Kurds have no friends but the mountains” (Mansfield, 78). Mansfield explains how the Kurds believe they are the descendants of the ancient Medes in this chapter.

Next, Mansfield discusses the origin of the term “magician.” He discusses the magi that attended Christ’s birth and how the term “magi” used to describe the wise men who visited Jesus’s birth could have been Zoroastrian priests. I have examined this term in an earlier post; this is one potential reading of the term, but there are different views of the interpretation of the term “magi.” Based on this word choice and the Kurds’ perceived connection to ancient Median people, they believe Kurdish people have a claim to be among the first worshipers of Jesus Christ (Mansfield, 85).

Chapter 5 – Solecki’s Complaint

This chapter describes the work of the archaeologist Ralph Solecki and his archaeological excavations. His excavations found that the Kurds maintained some of the oldest human traditions (Mansfield, 108). He thus titled his excavation report Shanidar: The First Flower People in 1971. The chapter ends by giving a brief survey of prejudicial statements toward Islam by American theologians and examining how after 9/11 many Sikhs were beaten because Americans did not know the difference between Islamic and Sikh dress (Mansfield, 119). Mansfield argues that “the Kurds have nurtured a gentler, more inclusive, more workable brand of Islam that ought to be a model for the world” (Mansfield, 120).

Chapter 6 – The Crasher

This chapter begins by discussing the implications of Saddam’s reign and the Iran–Iraq War. Next, it talks about the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and how twenty-one days later, a forty-foot-tall statue of Saddam fell to the ground. This chapter also describes the painful and shameful death of a great man: Dr. Raji al-Tikriti.

Chapter 7 – Halabjah

This chapter describes the sarin gas attacks on the city of Halabjah. Mansfield writes, “Perhaps one day a history of Halabjah or a novel or perhaps a skillfully crafted documentary or movie will communicate what nothing but the silent photographs have been able to capture thus far of the madness and indescribable pain” (Mansfield, 164). Christopher Hitchens, whose quotes appear before the start of chapters in Mansfield’s book, visited Iraq in 1991. Hitchens describes his experience talking to survivors of the attack.

Chapter 8 – More than Mountains for Friends

This chapter describes the actions of Jackson Harris and his efforts to help the Kurds. Nashville Christians began to support the Kurds with their basic needs. Mansfield describes how some Kurds questioned their Islamic faith in certain ways. He writes, “It was natural, then, for Kurdish Muslims to distance themselves somewhat from traditional Islam and certainly fundamentalist Islam in the early 1990s” (Mansfield, 189).

Chapter 9 – The Genius of the Kurds

The final chapter describes some of the innovations of the Kurds in Kurdistan. He describes the stories of successful Kurds and new business ventures in the city. Personal stories of different Kurds are told in this chapter.

Works Cited

Mansfield, S. (2007). The miracle of the Kurds: A remarkable story of hope reborn in northern Iraq. Worthy Publishing.