Who is Mehrdad R. Izady? A Closer Look at the Expert on Kurdish History and Culture

Prof. Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady is a distinguished scholar renowned for his multidisciplinary approach to the history, culture, and identity of the Kurds and Kurdistan. A historian, geographer, ethnographer, theologian, and musician, Dr. Izady is fluent in nearly 20 languages, including modern tongues such as Kurdish, English, German, Russian, Turkish, and French, as well as ancient languages like Assyrian, Classical Greek, Latin, Pahlavi, and Ottoman Turkish. His expertise in the Kurds, Kurdistan, the Middle East, and the Near East has earned him a prominent place in academia, with teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Fordham University, and New York Institute of Technology. Dr. Izady has been invited twice to provide expert testimony to the U.S. Congress and has served as a consultant to the U.S. National Security Council. His pivotal role in standardizing the Kurdish national flag has further cemented his influence, systematically presenting Kurdistan’s historical legacy on international platforms. With forthcoming books in multiple languages, his work continues to expand its global reach, profoundly impacting modern Kurdish youth and historians alike. This guide offers a detailed exploration of Dr. Izady’s life, education, areas of expertise, and contributions to Kurdish culture. Join us as we delve into the world of this visionary academic!

Article by: Bedel Boseli, @bedelboseli

Who is Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady?

Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady (also known as Michael Izady) was born in 1963 in Kirmaşa (Kermanshah), Kurdistan, to a Kurdish father and a Belgian mother. Raised in a diplomatic family, he spent his youth in diverse countries, including Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and South Korea. This multicultural upbringing significantly shaped his scholarly focus on the ethnic, cultural, and historical dimensions of the Middle East, particularly the Kurds and Kurdistan.

Recognized as a historian, geographer, ethnographer, theologian, and musician, Dr. Izady’s proficiency in over 15 modern and ancient languages enables him to analyze historical documents in their original forms. His academic contributions are a treasure trove for those seeking to understand the sociocultural formation of Kurdish identity and the historical-geographical framework of Kurdistan.

Educational Background: A Multidisciplinary Scholar

Dr. Izady’s extensive academic training underpins his versatile expertise. Below are the key milestones of his educational journey:

• Bachelor’s Degree (1976): Graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in History, Political Science, and Geography, marking the foundation of his interdisciplinary approach.
• Master’s Degrees (1978–1979): Earned two master’s degrees from Syracuse University in:
  • Remote Sensing and Cartography
  • Political Science and International Relations
• Master’s Degree (1986): Completed a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Columbia University.
• Doctorate (1992): Obtained a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Columbia University. Note: Some sources mention a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, but this has not been conclusively verified.

Academic Career: Teaching at Prestigious Institutions

Dr. Izady has shared his expertise through teaching at some of the world’s leading academic institutions. Notable positions include:

• Harvard University (1990–1995): Served as a lecturer in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations for six years.
• Joint Special Operations University (Florida, USA): Taught courses on Middle Eastern Studies and History, serving as Master Adjunct Professor since 1997.
• Smithsonian Institution (1996): Contributed to educational programs.
• Uppsala University (Sweden, 1997) and Free University of Berlin (1998): Engaged in academic activities in Europe.
• Fordham University (1998–2008) and Pace University (2001–2016): Taught in the History Department.
• New York Institute of Technology (1997–present): Continues to serve as Assistant Professor in the Social Sciences Department.

Additionally, from 1990 to 1997, Dr. Izady provided training to U.S. and NATO military forces on the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe, further enhancing his international recognition.

Areas of Expertise: A Deep Dive into Kurdish Culture and History

Dr. Izady’s expertise is rooted in his multidisciplinary background. His key areas of specialization include:

• Kurdish and Kurdistan History: His in-depth studies, including his doctoral dissertation at Columbia University, focus on the historical development of the Kurdish people and Kurdistan.
• Middle Eastern Ethnography: He examines the cultural and ethnic structures of the Kurds and other Middle Eastern peoples.
• Geography and Cartography: His expertise in remote sensing and cartography has led to the creation of maps illustrating Kurdish geographical distribution, used by institutions such as National Geographic, The Economist, the United Nations, and the U.S. military. Many of these works are accessible via Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 Project website.
• Middle Eastern Languages: Proficiency in over 15 languages allows him to analyze historical sources in their original forms.
• Theology and Culture: Specializing in ancient Kurdish belief systems, particularly Yazdanism (a pre-Islamic angelic cult), Dr. Izady posits that it is the root of modern faiths such as Alevism, Yezidism, and Ahl-e Haqq. His doctoral research focused on this area.
• Music and Art: He explores Kurdistan’s aesthetic and symbolic heritage from an artistic perspective.
• Ancient History: By identifying ancient kingdoms like Adiabene and Commagene as Kurdish in origin, he offers a novel perspective on Kurdish history.

Standardizing the Kurdistan Flag: A Historic Contribution

One of Dr. Izady’s most notable contributions is the standardization of the Kurdistan flag in 1998. By aligning the flag with universal standards, he strengthened the unity and recognition of Kurdish identity. This standardization was endorsed by the International Institute of Flags and the Kurdistan Region Parliament in Erbil, reflecting his academic expertise and visionary leadership.

Key Works and Contributions

Dr. Izady’s publications are foundational resources for scholars of Kurdish history and culture. His major works include:

• The Kurds: A Concise Handbook (1992): A comprehensive guide to Kurdish history, culture, and identity. The introduction of the “Yazdanism” concept has sparked some debate but is widely regarded as influential.
• The Sharafnâma (2005): An English translation and commentary on Sharaf al-Din Bitlisi’s 1597 work, a critical source for Kurdish history.
• Book Chapters:
  • Between Iraq and a Hard Place: The Kurdish Predicament (2006): On Iran, Iraq, and the legacy of war.
  • Kurds, Encyclopedia of the Developing World (2006): An encyclopedic introduction to the Kurds.
  • Kurds and the Foundations of the State of Iraq, 1917–1932 (2004): The role of Kurds in Iraq’s state formation.
  • Gulf and Indian Ocean Basin Ethnic Diversity: An Evolutionary History (2002): Ethnic diversity in the Persian Gulf.
  • The Geopolitical Realities of Kurdistan vs. Hopes for a New World Order (1998): Kurdistan’s geopolitical realities.
  • The Kurdish Demographic Revolution and Its Socio-Political Implications (1997): Socio-political impacts of Kurdish demographic changes.
  • E uno plurium?: A Projection on the Future of the National Minorities (1995): Projections on national minorities’ futures.

U.S. Congress and National Security Council Advisory Roles

Dr. Izady’s expertise has garnered international recognition, leading to two invitations to provide testimony to the U.S. Congress. He also served as a consultant to the U.S. National Security Council, offering critical analyses of the Kurds and the complex dynamics of the Middle East. These prestigious roles underscore his global authority in the field.

Why is Dr. Izady Significant?

Dr. Izady has systematically elevated Kurdish and Kurdistan history and culture to international prominence through rigorous scholarship. His ability to conduct research using primary sources in millennia-old languages makes his work indispensable for understanding the sociocultural and historical formation of Kurdish identity. His symbolic contributions, such as standardizing the Kurdistan flag, have bolstered Kurdish national consciousness. By offering fresh perspectives on the Kurds’ ancient culture and belief systems, he has shaped academic discourse in the field.

Conclusion: A Scholar, A Visionary

Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady is a singular expert in Kurdish history, Middle Eastern culture, and cartography. His academic journey, beginning at the Universities of Kansas, Syracuse, and Columbia, continued with teaching roles at Harvard, Pace, and New York Institute of Technology. Through the standardization of the Kurdistan flag, The Kurds: A Concise Handbook, and other works, he has successfully situated Kurdish identity within a scientific and universal framework.

For those eager to learn more about Kurdish history, culture, or Kurdistan’s geographical and symbolic heritage, Dr. Izady’s books are essential reading. His academic legacy continues to inspire and guide scholars and enthusiasts in the field.