About Us

the Amargi

Freedom through independent journalism

About us

The Amargi is a grassroots-funded online media outlet established by a group of journalists, activists, and academics based in Europe. We are independent from any commercial and political influence and our donors support us because their democratic values align with our editorial policy. 

The Amargi’s spotlight is on Kurdistan, but we also focus on Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, as well as the broader Middle East. In a region where undemocratic regimes, foreign intervention, and powerful corporations determine the political discourse and suppress self-determination, dissent, and diversity, we aspire to be a powerful voice of those rendered powerless and voiceless. “Amargi”, a Sumerian word, is regarded as the first known written word for “freedom”.

As hinted in its name, the Amargi’s core values are freedom, democracy, diversity, coexistence, equality, and social justice. We report professionally and investigate fearlessly, as we promote values to strengthen Middle Eastern society and bridge its peoples and communities. We stand with social and ethnic minorities and against sexism, racism, fascism, extremism, and all forms of discrimination and injustice. 

We promote cultural diversity, amplify marginalised voices, and support democratic principles, human rights, and environmental consciousness with a focus on the Middle East. Through independent journalism, media education, and cross-cultural dialogue, we foster inclusive platforms for critical reflection and knowledge exchange. With initiatives in Germany and beyond, Amargi e.V. connects communities locally and globally. We fight disinformation and empower youth, women, and minorities to meaningfully contribute to building a fair and pluralistic society.

If you want to support and help expand The Amargi by becoming a donor, please contact us at [email protected].

Our Mission

Value Proposition

We bridge information gaps through expert analysis, serving local audiences seeking reliable news and international readers interested in understanding MENA politics and Kurdish affairs.

Our Purpose

  • Political news content platform
  • MENA region news and analysis hub
  • Kurdish region coverage specialist

Our Approach

We deliver comprehensive analysis that helps readers understand complex regional dynamics with both depth and clarity, maintaining the sophistication needed to address complex political topics.

Our Authors

Amargi's team of writers, journalists, and experts bring diverse perspectives and deep insight to our coverage of news and events across the region.

Abbas Vali's photo

Abbas Vali

Prof. Abbas Vali is a Kurdish political theorist from Mahabad, Iran, and one of the foremost scholars on Kurdish identity and nationalism. He studied in Tehran and London, earning his PhD in Historical Sociology from the University of London, and later taught at Swansea University and Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. He was also the founding president of the University of Kurdistan in Hewlêr. His works include Essays on the Origins of Kurdish Nationalism and Kurds and the State in Iran: The Making of Kurdish Identity.

Adnan Çelik's photo

Adnan Çelik

Adnan Çelik, anthropologist and historian, is an Associate Professor at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (École des hautes études en sciences sociales, EHESS) in Paris. He is the author of Dans l’ombre de l’État : Kurdes contre Kurdes (Brepols, 2021), and co-author of Laboratories of Learning: Social Movements, Education and Knowledge-Making in the Global South (Pluto, 2024) with M. Novelli, B. Kutan, P. Kane, T. Pherali, and S. Benjamin. He also co-authored La Malédiction: Le génocide des Arméniens dans la mémoire des Kurdes de Diyarbekir (L’Harmattan, 2021) with Namık Kemal Dinç, and co-edited Kurds in Turkey: Ethnographies of Heterogeneous Experiences (Lexington Books, 2019) with Lucie Drechselová. His research focuses on political violence, Kurdish memorial regimes, and transnational activism.

Ammar Goli's photo

Ammar Goli

Ammar Goli is an investigative reporter whose work focuses on the relationships between mafia groups and totalitarian governments, and on the Kurdish issue in the Middle East. He has contributed to various media outlets, including BBC Farsi, Iran International, and Radio Ferda, in Persian, Kurdish, and German, drawing on his deep understanding of the political and social dynamics of the region. At The Amargi, he writes specifically about East Kurdistan and Iran, offering valuable insights and analysis of current events.

Bachtyar Ali's photo

Bachtyar Ali

Bachtyar Ali, a leading novelist, poet, and essayist, is celebrated as one of the most influential contemporary Kurdish authors. Best known internationally for The Last Pomegranate Tree, he has published over 40 works of fiction, poetry, and criticism, including 12 novels. His writings have been translated into numerous languages, from Arabic and Persian to German, Italian, and English. In 2017, he became the first author writing in a non-European language to win the prestigious Nelly Sachs Prize.

Interested in Contributing?

Amargi welcomes submissions from talented writers and journalists with expertise in relevant fields. Join our growing team of authors and share your perspective.

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