by Washington Kurdish Institute

The Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) is a non-profit, research and educational organization based in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1996 by Dr. Najmaldin Karim, a Kurdish leader, and neurosurgeon. 

The WKI’s mission is to increase public awareness of Kurdish issues, protect human, cultural, and political rights throughout Kurdistan, support and develop Kurdistan’s civil society, improve and increase access to Kurdish cultural and educational resources, and advocate for effective solutions to Kurd-related issues. The WKI works in a variety of ways to achieve its mission. It conducts research on Kurdish issues, publishes reports and articles, organizes conferences and events, and provides educational resources on Kurdish culture and history. The WKI also advocates for Kurdish rights at the U.S. government and international levels. 
 
The WKI is a valuable resource for information on Kurdish issues. It is a leading voice in the Kurdish community in the United States and around the world. 
 
WKI’s work also includes the following areas: 
  • Educating the public on Kurdish culture, history, and news (e.g. providing Kurdish language classes, producing Kurd-related news, and disseminating other Kurd-related information)
  • Engaging in humanitarian activities (e.g. providing medical treatment, research, and training) Campaigning against the possession, proliferation, and use of chemical weapons
  • Monitoring and improving Kurdistan’s environmental health
  • Building and improving capacity for NGOs, civic organizations, and community organizations in Kurdistan
FOUNDER

Dr. Najmaldin Karim was born in Kirkuk Iraq, where he finished his high school education, before attending Mosul Medical College. After medical school, Dr. Karim was elected to the leadership of the Kurdish Student Union. In 1972, he joined the Peshmerga forces and served as a physician and Peshmerga until March 1975.  Read Biography

PRESIDENT
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Sierwan Najmaldin Karim, formerly a senior advisor and security director for the late governor of Kirkuk, founder and past president of the Washington Kurdish Institute, Dr. Najmaldin O. Karim. Sierwan has served in various roles in several Kurdish organizations. Since a young age, under the tutelage of his father, Dr. Karim, Sierwan has been involved in Kurdish activism, promoting a united free Kurdistan  Read Biography

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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