New Book by Ambassador Arshak Poladian on Kurds

AZAD-HYE (24 September 2004):The “Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research” (ECSSR) was established in Abu Dhabi in 1994. It enjoys the support of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Deputy Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (one of the seven Emirates that form the United Arab Emirates). The Center focuses on scientific research and studies on social, economic and political issues of interest to the United Arab Emirates in particular and the Gulf region and the Arab world in general.

Dr. Arshak Poladian, Charge d'Affaires of the Republic of Armenia in the United Arab Emirates from 2000 to 2002 and Ambassador since 2002 (also non-resident Ambassador to the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain), is a known expert on oriental and Kurdish studies. His latest work in this domain has been published by the ECSSR under the title: “The Origin of the Kurds in Arabic Sources” (Abu Dhabi, 2004, in Arabic, about 100 pages).

The book is based on a previous publication by the author on the same subject with slight additions and modifications (see "Kurds in Arabic Sources", Yerevan 1987, published in Russian by the Institute of Oriental Studies, Academy of Sciences of Soviet Armenia; translated into Arabic by Dr. Khatchadour Kasbarian and Abdul Karim Aba Zid, date and place of translation unknown). Parts of the above research could also be found in an earlier book of Dr. Poladian, published by the now closed “Zayed International Center for Coordination and Follow-up” (see “Studies in the History and Culture of the East", Abu Dhabi, 2001)

The ECSSR provides the following summary of Dr. Poladian’s work:

“Examining the origin of the Kurds in accordance with Arabic sources addresses an important facet of Arab-Kurdish relations -it hasn't received sufficient attention from historians and hasn't been explored the way in which it ought to be.

Investigating this issue is critical, especially in attempting to understand the contemporary Kurdish situation, current geopolitical developments, and the role of Kurds throughout the Middle and Near East.

The story of the Arabic origin of the Kurds in particular has, according to the study, emerged amidst the Arab milieu. There is much evidence that lends basis to the assumption that the Diar Rabia itself was the cradle of their nascency, later spreading to other parts of the Caliphate territories The Kurds' acceptance of the assertion that they derive from Arab origin should come as no surprise, in light of the consideration that the claim would have ensured Kurdish princes converting to Islam reverence and prestige in some circles and accordingly, the extension of their sphere of influence”.

During the past few years Dr. Poladian has managed to publish parts of his previous researches in the shape of articles in some of the UAE newspapers, thus raising awareness about Armenian issues in the local press. He has succeeded also in attracting the attention of some journalists, who interviewed him and provided their readers with information about the traditional oriental studies in Armenia along with updates on the status of the newly formed Armenian-Emirati relations.