Magnified Leaders vs. Real Leaders

Nazhad Osman Saed

This is a comparison between two vastly different recognitions: the potential Nobel Peace Prize nomination of Sherwan Sherwani and the Atlantic Peace Award given to Massoud Barzani.

Sherwan Sherwani, a fearless advocate for freedom, has endured persecution, imprisonment, and immense personal sacrifice for his beliefs. His writings and activism have made him a symbol of resistance and peace, and now he stands as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize”one of the world’s most prestigious honors, awarded in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Despite lacking significant financial, military, or political backing, Sherwani’s resilience and unwavering commitment have turned him into a beacon of hope for genuine freedom fighters. His recognition is a testament to true greatness, built on integrity and strength.

In contrast, the Atlantic Peace Award, presented to Massoud Barzani on February 23, 2011, was not an acknowledgment of genuine peace efforts. It was ostensibly given for assisting 10,000 Christian refugee families, yet it ignored Barzani’s dark legacy one stained with the blood of tens of thousands of Kurds. The award appeared to serve as a distraction, coming just as his party, in collaboration with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was responsible for violent crackdowns in Sulaimani. Barzani’s so-called peace award came at the peak of his authoritarian rule, making it clear that such recognitions serve political agendas rather than reflecting true leadership.

Sherwan Sherwani’s Nobel nomination holds real value, standing in stark contrast to the hollow honors bestowed upon oppressive leaders. To Barzani and all officials of the KDP and PUK, the message is clear: the sun of freedom will rise, and history will distinguish between fabricated legacies and genuine leadership.