In 2015, it is very easy to let the media distort our view of certain parts of the world, especially the Middle East. The goal of this article was to challenge the images and ideas that often come into people’s mind upon discovering that Kurdistan is in the Middle East, and proving with pictures (because I believe that pictures can speak louder than words) that those assumptions have no real pillar upon which they can stand, and that they are nothing more than just assumptions molded and formed with the help of the media. I want to show that Kurdistan really is a beautiful part of the world, and that like many other Middle Eastern countries, has been victim to preconceived notions about the people, the culture, and the standard of living within its borders. Enjoy!
1. Mud Houses
![1](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1.jpg)
2. Intolerance Towards Other Religions
![2.This Saint Joseph’s Church located in Ankawa really shows how intolerant the Kurds are towards other religions](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_1567-1024x768.jpg)
3. Bland Food
![I would rather eat fried goat stomach](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3032141222014_wena276.jpg)
4. Boring Scenery
![This scenery is so boring that it put me to sleep](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Rowanduz-Gorge-at-Rowanduz-Kurdistan-1024x685.jpg)
5. No Ancient History
![No 4,000 year old citadels here, sorry.](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/5.jpg)
6. Not Safe
![Just look at all this violence](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_1963.jpg)
7. It’s a Giant Desert
![Nothing but barren desert](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sulamani-kurdistan_3-1024x641.jpg)
8. The Women Are Oppressed
![Precisely what an oppressed female looks like](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Kurdish_soldiers_training_Syria_rtr_img-1024x645.jpg)
9. Boring Architecture
![Cannot imagine why anybody would want to visit Sherwana Castle](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/13388581504_41580dfcba_o.jpg)
10. Everybody Rides a Camel
![Introducing the 2015 Camel drift race in Hewler](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Untitled-2.jpg)
11. Boring Countryside
![Just your average, everyday countryside](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Kurdistan-Mountains22-2.jpg)
12. The Cities Are a Ruin
![A complete ruin](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/slemaninight.jpg)
13. Nothing to Do
![Not even a mall to shop at](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/familymall.jpg)
14. Nothing to See
![Just another boring site](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/amed-12-14-novemberkasim-130.jpg)
15. Kurds Do Not Know How to Party
![Not at all](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2014-03-17-bdp-mitingi-canli-izle-1024x680.jpg)
16. The Villages Are More Boring Than the Cities
![Another typical looking village](http://medyamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/18.jpg)
These photos are collected on various websites, all credit and image rights belong to their rightful owners.