The Existing Intercultural Relations of Iranian Kurdish Community with the Kurds of North Iraq

As per reliable statistical reports the Kurds form the largest ethnic community in the Middle East after the Arabs, the Persians and the Turks. The 4 million Kurds of Iraq constitute 25 percent of its population and with a population of about 7 million they constitute 15 percent of the total population of Iran. The purpose of this study is to make a review of the various aspects and the extent of intercultural relations between the Kurds of North Iraq and the Iranian Kurdish community. For the purpose of this survey, the authors approached 200 Kurdish speaking citizens of the Kurdistan Province and Kurdish cities of West Azarbayejan Province of Iran as well as 200 Kurdish speaking citizens of the Iraqi Kurdistan (Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja) by random sampling method who responded by filling the questionnaire given to them. The findings of the research show that the two groups chosen for the purpose of this research speak the same language, enjoy common ethnic identity and follow the same religious school of thought all of which have proved to be effective factors in their intercultural relationship.