Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN - File #: RS2023-1975

• File #: RS2023-1975
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 1/17/2023
• In control: Metropolitan Council
• Final action: 1/17/2023
• Title: A resolution celebrating the unveiling of a historical marker to honor Kurdish Americans in Nashville and Davidson County.
• Sponsors: Zulfat Suara, Burkley Allen, Emily Benedict, Russ Bradford, Tom Cash, Thom Druffel, Erin Evans, Jennifer Gamble, Larry Hagar, Jonathan Hall, Tonya Hancock, Gloria Hausser, Angie Henderson, Sharon Hurt, Courtney Johnston, Antoinette Lee, Bob Mendes, Kathleen Murphy, Bob Nash, Freddie OConnell, Sean Parker, Delishia Porterfield, Russ Pulley, Kevin Rhoten, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Dave Rosenberg, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Colby Sledge, Joy Styles, Robert Swope, Jeff Syracuse, Brandon Taylor, Kyonzte Toombs, Tanaka Vercher, Ginny Welsch, Brett Withers, Zach Young

Date	Action By	Action
1/23/2023	Mayor	approved
1/17/2023	Metropolitan Council	adopted
1/17/2023	Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee	approved

title
A resolution celebrating the unveiling of a historical marker to honor Kurdish Americans in Nashville and Davidson County.

body
WHEREAS, Nashville is home to the largest population of Kurdish people in the United States, with many people calling Nashville "Little Kurdistan"; and

WHEREAS, Kurdish immigrants have settled in Nashville since at least the 1970s and it is estimated that there are over 20,000 Kurds living in Nashville today; and

WHEREAS, Kurds fleeing horrific genocide and seeking refuge from political persecution have found a welcoming home and sense of community in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, while many Kurds practice Islam, there are Kurds of many faiths who reside in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, the Salahadeen Center was founded in 1998 and is widely considered to be the first Kurdish mosque in the United States; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of its large Kurdish American population, Nashville is also seeking to become a Sister City to Erbil, the capital and largest populated city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Nashville will formally recognize its Kurdish American population with a new historical marker which will be unveiled on Saturday, January 21, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the ceremony for this historical marker begins at 9:00 am at Salahadeen Center of Nashville with the unveiling of the marker to follow at 3904 Nolensville Pike; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honor its Kurdish American population and the rich history and significant contribution of Kurdish Americans who call Nashville and Davidson County home.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as celebrating the unveiling of a historical marker to honor Kurdish Americans in Nashville and Davidson County. This historical marker will be placed at 3904 Nolensville Pike in the heart of Little ...