The Uprising of Sheikh Obaidullah Nahri and the Emergence of Kurdish Nationalism (A Historical and Sociological Analysis)

The Kurdish question as a nation without state has always been a key point in the conflict and struggle in the middle east and the region as a whole. The history of Kurds is full of clashes and struggles aimed at getting the right to self-determinations. The uprising of Sheikh Obaidullah Nahri is regarding as one of the most important events in the modern history of Kurds and has been the subject of extensive scholarly debate, particularly over whether it represents the rise of Kurdish nationalism or should instead be comprehended as a mainly religious uprising. Therefore, this study adopts a historical-sociological approach to examine the emergence of Kurdish nationalism. It also seeks to deliver an academic reassessment of Kurdish nationalism and its early appearances relying on historical evidence to either corroborate or challenge claims regarding the nationalist character of the rebellion. For this purpose, this study employs causality as method and theory which is developed by Max Weber.The results indicates that the uprising had a strong and positive influence on Kurdish demands for political autonomy. However, many historians, Kurdologists and middle eastern specialists discuss that Sheikh Obaidullah’s struggle alone is insufficient to definitively classify the uprising as the beginning of Kurdish nationalist consciousness. Nevertheless, despite the inability of Sheikh Obaidullah’s social, religious, and political struggles to fully realize Kurdish national objectives, the uprising is still regarded as a crucial initial stage in the early experience of the emergence of the Kurdish nationalism during this period.