Nashville City Council Recognises 50 Years of Kurdish Settlement in the United States

The Nashville City Council has officially recognised the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Kurdish families in the United States and their settlement in Nashville and other American cities.

According to the official proclamation, the first group of Kurdish families arrived in the United States on 1 March 1976, beginning a new chapter in their lives. These families brought with them their history, culture, hopes, and aspirations, while at the same time laying the foundations for a new life for future generations.

The City Council emphasised that, throughout the past 50 years, the Kurdish community has continued to preserve its language, culture, and traditions while building and establishing its life in the United States.

According to the proclamation, Nashville is home to more than 20,000 Kurds, and the Kurdish community has become an integral part of the city’s social and cultural life. Kurdish traditions and American ways of life have developed alongside one another, contributing to the diversity and character of the city.

The City Council also highlighted the longstanding ties between Kurdistan and the United States, emphasising cooperation, mutual respect, and shared sacrifices.

The proclamation specifically recognised the role of the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS alongside American and coalition forces, describing it as an example of historic cooperation.

Signed on 6 October 2026, the proclamation honours 50 years of settlement, resilience, and progress within Nashville’s Kurdish community. It also formally recognises the contributions of Kurdish families to the city’s growth, diversity, and shared civic life.

The proclamation was signed by Angie E. Henderson, Vice Mayor and President of the City Council, along with Mike Cortesi and other members of the City Council.

Signatories:

• Angie E. Henderson — Vice Mayor and President of the City Council
• Mike Cortesi
• Zulfat Suwara
• Emily Benedict
• Tom Drafel
• Tasha Ellis
• Delishia Porterfield
• Joy Styles
• Clay Capp
• Antoinette Lee
• Bob Nash
• Russ Bradford
• Jacob Kupin
• San