View source for Sulaymaniyah

{{Short description|City in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sulaymaniyah
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Iraq|City]]
| native_name        = {{lang|ku|سلێمانی ([[Sorani Kurdish]])|italic=no}}<br>{{Lang|ar|السليمانية ([[Arabic]])}}<br>{{lang|ku-Latn|Silêmanî (Kurmanji Kurdish)}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Sulaymaniyah City - Grand Millenium Hotel.jpg
| photo2a = Romanian amphitheater - sulaymaniyah.jpg
| photo2b = Sharaf Khan Bidlisi Statue at Slemani Public Park.jpg
| photo3a = Victims of Saddam Hussein (6556996289).jpg
| photo3b = Interior, the Kurd's Heritage Museum, Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan.jpg
| photo4a = Grand Millennium Sulaimani Hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan.jpg
| photo4b =
| photo5a =
| spacing = 2
| size = 280
| foot_montage = Top-bottom, R-L:{{br}}View over Suleymaniyah {{br}} Roman-styled theater
 • [[Sharafkhan Bidlisi]] statue {{br}} Amna Suraka Museum •   [[Sulaymaniyah Museum]] {{br}} Suleymaniyah at night
}}
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| pushpin_map        = Iraq
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Iraq
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|33|26|N|45|26|08|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|Iraq}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Federal regions of Iraq|Federal region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Kurdistan Region}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Governorates of Iraq|Governorate]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate|Sulaymaniyah]]
|subdivision_name3=  [[Sulaymaniyah District|Sulaymaniyah]]
|subdivision_type3=District
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = [[Haval Abubakir]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spu.edu.iq/index.php/en/archive/15-news/274-sulaimani-polytechnic-university-organized-a-panel-on-bird-flu-the-h5n1-virus |title=Sulaimani Polytechnic University |publisher=spu.edu.iq |date=13 June 2015 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225163735/http://spu.edu.iq/index.php/en/archive/15-news/274-sulaimani-polytechnic-university-organized-a-panel-on-bird-flu-the-h5n1-virus%20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 2895
|area_total_km2=266
|area_footnotes=<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/iraq/mun/admin/as_sulaym%C4%81niyah/18011__as_sulaym%C4%81niyah/ ]</ref>
|population_rank =[[List_of_largest_cities_of_Iraq|8th in Iraq]]
| population_density_km2 = 3200
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_note    = 
| website            = https://slemani.gov.krd/
| timezone           = [[UTC+03:00|AST]]
| utc_offset         = +3
| population_est     = 847,000
| pop_est_as_of      = 2025
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="City population">{{cite web|url=https://spu.edu.iq/en/life-in-sulaymaniyah|title=Iraq: Governorates & Cities}}</ref>
}}

'''Sulaymaniyah''' or '''Slemani''' ({{langx|ku|سلێمانی|Silêmanî}};<ref>{{cite news |title=Bi wêneyên Pêşengeha Pirtûkan a Navnetewî ya Silêmanî |url=https://www.rudaw.net/kurmanci/culture-art/23112019 |access-date=18 December 2019 |work=Rûdaw |date=23 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=سەرۆکی هەرێمی کوردستان سەردانی سلێمانی دەکات |url=https://www.rudaw.net/sorani/kurdistan/2511201926 |access-date=18 December 2019 |work=Rûdaw |date=25 November 2019 |language=ku}}</ref> {{langx|ar|السليمانية|as-Sulaymāniyyah}}<ref>{{cite news |title=السليمانية |url= https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/citiesandregions/2015/5/21/السليمانية |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |language=ar}}</ref>), is a city in the east of the [[Kurdistan Region]] of [[Iraq]] and is the capital of the [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate]]. It is surrounded by the Azmar, Goizha and Qaiwan Mountains in the northeast, Baranan Mountain in the south and the Tasluja Hills in the west. The city has a semi-arid climate with very hot dry summers and cold wet winters.

The modern city of Slemani was founded in 1784<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Cockrell-Abdullah|first=Autumn|date=2018|title=There Is No Kurdish Art|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.13169/jinte.2.2.0103|journal=The Journal of Intersectionality|volume=2|issue=2|pages=103–128|doi=10.13169/jinte.2.2.0103|jstor=10.13169/jinte.2.2.0103 |issn=2515-2114|url-access=subscription|doi-access=free}}</ref> by the Ottoman-Kurdish prince Ibrahim Pasha Baban in Collaboration with Azim Beg and Haji Aziz Bey Aghal Dwanze Swarey Meriwane Jawamer Agha Rangena, who named it after his father Sulayman Pasha.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ali|first=Meer Ako|title=Sulaimany: 227 years of glory|url=https://kurdistantribune.com/sulaimany-years-of-glory/|website=The Kurdistan Tribune|date=13 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009015939/https://kurdistantribune.com/sulaimany-years-of-glory/|archive-date=9 October 2019}}</ref> Slemani was the capital of the historic [[Kurds|Kurdish]] principality of [[Baban]] from 1784 to 1850.

==History==
{{Further|Timeline of Sulaymaniyah}}
[[File:Stela of Iddi-Sin, King of Simurrum. It dates back to the Old-Babylonian Period. From Qarachatan Village, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan. The Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraq.jpg|thumb|left|Stela of [[Iddi-Sin]], King of [[Simurrum]]. It dates back to the [[Old Babylonian Period]]. From [[Qarachatan]] Village, [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate|Slemani Governorate]], [[Iraqi Kurdistan]]. Located in the [[Sulaymaniyah Museum|Slemani Museum]], Iraq.]]

The region of Slemani was known as ''[[Zamua|Zamwa]]'' prior to the foundation of the modern city in 1784. The capital of the [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] [[Baban]] principality (1649–1850), before Slemani, was a territory named "Qelaçiwalan". At the time of the Babani's rule there were major conflicts between the [[Safavid dynasty]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Qelaçiwalan became a battleground for the two rivals.<ref name="sulygov.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sulygov.com/ |title=The Leading Suly Government Site on the Net |publisher=sulygov.com |access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>

In 1783, [[Ibrahim Baban]] became ruler of the emirate and began the reconstruction of a city which once constructed by [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Sultan Sulayman]] (the name of Sulaymaniyah came from his name) new city which would become its capital. In 1784 he finished erecting a number of palaces for trade called ''Qeyserîs'' and bazaars, which were also used as baths, and began inviting people from the surrounding villages and emirates to move to the newly established city. Soon Melkendî, which was originally intended to be the city itself, instead became one of its quarters.<ref name="sulygov.com"/> The new city of Slemani was named after [[Sulayman Baba]], who was the first [[Baban]] prince to gain control of the province of [[Shahrizor|Şarezûr]]. Sulayman Baban invaded the neighboring Kurdish vassaldom of [[Ardalan]], defeating their forces in 1694. Ottoman Sultan [[Mustafa II]] assigned him the district of Baban.<ref>Gábor Ágoston, Bruce Alan Masters (2009), ''Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire'', p.70, Infobase Publishing, {{ISBN|9781438110257}}</ref> 

Haji Aziz Bey Aghal Dwanze Swarey Meriwane Jawamer Agha Rangena is not to be confused with the [[Royal family|royal]] and [[Aristocracy|aristocratic]] [[Jwamer Aga|Jwamer Agha]], although they share family ties through marriage. He was the [[billionaire]] [[Bey]] of the noble and aristocratic Kurdish Noori-Aghal family, who founded the city of Slemani in collaboration with [[Ibrahim Pasha Baban]] and Azim Beg. Ibrahim Pasha Baban invited Haji to help build Slemani, and together, they founded the city of Sarkarez.<ref> The Book of the Notable Kurds of Sulaymaniyah, in the National Library of Sulaymaniyah (Sulaimani Public Library, Salim Street.)
</ref>

Haji Aziz Bey Aghal was the first individual to establish a cemetery in Slemani, using his land, which had originally been designated for [[sumac]] cultivation. Aghal asserted that he had no intention of generating profit, stating that his personal wealth was sufficient to support the impoverished. He further demonstrated his altruistic nature by opening the doors of his [[palace]], allowing the poor to take whatever they needed. He provided them with [[Nut (food)|nuts]], [[chicken]], [[rice]], and other food items that were typically consumed by the aristocracy of his era.<ref> The Book of the Notable Kurds of Sulaymaniyah, in the National Library of Sulaymaniyah (Sulaimani Public Library, Salim Street.)
</ref>

Additionally, he constructed the first bridge in Slemani, testing its stability by riding his [[Mare|horse]] across it. He expressed indifference to his own safety, stating that if he were to perish due to the bridge's collapse, it would serve as a testament to its inadequacy and raise awareness among the citizens. He also built the first [[mosque]] in Slemani, which is currently in poor condition, but has "Aghal" written on its walls.<ref> The Book of the Notable Kurds of Sulaymaniyah, in the National Library of Sulaymaniyah (Sulaimani Public Library, Salim Street.)
</ref>

The house was later sold and converted into a car park by the buyer, a decision that drew criticism from many older Kurds who had known him and disapproved of the change. Despite his death, Haji Aziz Bey Aghal is still highly respected as a nobleman. Many peasants offered to convert to his religion for his actions, but he refused, stating that he did not need any recognition and was content with everything he had. He was also offered royal titles, but he turned them down.<ref> The Book of the Notable Kurds of Sulaymaniyah, in the National Library of Sulaymaniyah (Sulaimani Public Library, Salim Street.)
</ref>

His wife, the noblewoman Princess Fatima [[Khanum]], sold all her [[gold]] including her belongings to support her husband in saving hundreds of thousands of peasants with his wealth during the [[World War I|First World War]]. For their acts of charity, they are buried together in a sacred private grave on the sumac farm.<ref> The Book of the Notable Kurds of Sulaymaniyah, in the National Library of Sulaymaniyah (Sulaimani Public Library, Salim Street.)
</ref>

According to Jewish tradition, Sulaiman Baban emphasized the importance of a town having Jewish residents for its completeness. A mission was then sent to [[Qaradagh District|Qaradagh]], a town with a thriving Jewish community, and surrounding villages. The Jews of Qaradagh responded by sending the first group of Jewish inhabitants to Sulaymaniyah.<ref name=":2" />

In the early 1800s refugees from Ardalan moved to Slemani, including [[Mastoureh Ardalan|Mastura Ardalan]], the widow of Xosraw Xanî Erdalan, the ruler of the kingdom. Erdalan wrote an account of Kurdish history in Persian and was buried in Slemani when he died in 1848.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/11/sulaimania-saving-dream-city-kurdish-prince-161120120029235.html|title=Sulaimania: Saving the dream city of a Kurdish prince|last=Goudsouzian|first=Tanya|date=21 November 2016|website=aljazeera.com|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al-Jazeera]]|access-date=21 November 2016}}</ref>

From 1922 to 1924, Slemani was the capital of the [[Kingdom of Kurdistan]], a short-lived [[List of historical unrecognized states and dependencies|unrecognized state]] declared by [[Kurds in Iraq|Iraqi Kurds]] following the collapse of the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref>Prince, J. (1993), "A Kurdish State in Iraq" in Current History, January.</ref>
{{clearleft}}

==Demographics==
The early 1920s [[Iraqi Revolt]] against the British rule of the [[Mandate for Mesopotamia]] led by Shaikh Mahmud triggered a wave of Jewish emigration from Sulaymaniyah.<ref name=":2">{{Citation |last=Zaken |first=M. |title=Chapter Five. Sulaimaniya |date=2007-01-01 |url=https://brill.com/display/book/9789047422129/Bej.9789004161900.i-376_008.xml |work=Jewish Subjects and Their Tribal Chieftains in Kurdistan |pages=107–112 |access-date=2023-10-10 |publisher=Brill |language=en |doi=10.1163/ej.9789004161900.i-376.31 |isbn=978-90-474-2212-9|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

According to Iraqi government documents, by 1947 the number of residents had increased to 23,475.<ref name=":3" /> In the same year, records documented the existence of three hundred Jewish families, comprising a total of 1,517 individuals. Notably, nearly the entire Jewish community, except one family, made [[aliyah]] to the emerging [[Israel|State of Israel]] in 1951–52.<ref name=":2" />

By 1998, the local population was estimated at 548,747, which grew in 2015 to an estimated 656,100.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Iraq-Cities.html|title=Iraq: Governorates, Major Cities & Urban Centers – Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>

[[The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani]] estimated the number of inhabitants in 2016 at 800,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://auis.edu.krd/life-in-sulaimani|title=Life in Sulaimani|website=[[The American University of Iraq Sulaimani]]|date=17 October 2016 }}</ref>

== Geography and climate ==
{{wide image|Sulaymaniyah Panorama on September 2015.jpg|1500px|Panorama of Sulaymaniyah, September 2015}}
The city is located in Northern Iraq. Of the [[list of cities in Iraq|main population centres]] in the country, it is characterized by its cooler summer temperatures and its rainier winters. Average temperatures range from {{convert|0|to(-)|39|C}}. In the winters, there can be a significant amount of snow. Snow falls every year or two.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraq under cold front bringing snow with below zero temperatures |url=http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2008/jan/11/iraq_under_cold_front_bringing_snow_and_below_zero_temperatures.html |access-date=3 March 2013 |newspaper=Indian Muslims |date=11–12 January 2008 |agency=[[Kuwait News Agency]] (KUNA) |quote=BAGHDAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) – snow fell on large areas of Iraq following two days of low temperatures. |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928003714/http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2008/jan/11/iraq_under_cold_front_bringing_snow_and_below_zero_temperatures.html |archive-date=28 September 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Snow covers Sulaimaniya|url=http://www.ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=ELDEDH|access-date=3 March 2013|date=26 January 2010|agency=[[National Iraqi News Agency]] (NINA)|quote=Sulaimaniya (NINA) –The city of Sulaimaniya witnessed a heavy fall of snow that covered the entire city since Monday midnight.  Reporter of the National Iraqi News Agency said 'The citizens of Sulaimaniya woke up on Tuesday morning to see their city covered with snow and the street painted in white color.'|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226033031/http://www.ninanews.com/english/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=ELDEDH|archive-date=26 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Snow Blankets Sulaimaniya |url=http://www.iraqupdates.com/business-news/transportation/heavy-snow-blankets-sulaimaniya/2012-03-03|agency=Iraq Updates|access-date=3 March 2013|date=3 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Unusually heavy snow hits Iraq's Sulaimaniya|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/01/14/260307.html|access-date=3 March 2013|publisher=[[Al Arabiya]]|date=14 January 2013|agency=[[Reuters]]|quote=An unusually heavy snowstorm blanketed Sulaimaniya city, in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, on Saturday (January 12) as severe weather conditions continue to sweep through the region.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=11 Refugee Children Freeze to Death in Kurdistan Camps
 |url=http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/01/12/11-refugee-children-freeze-to-death-in-kurdistan-camps/ |access-date=3 February 2015|date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203003019/http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/01/12/11-refugee-children-freeze-to-death-in-kurdistan-camps/ |archive-date=3 February 2015 |location=Erbil }}</ref>

The [[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]] classifies its climate as [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] (Csa).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/5078/ |title=Climate: Sulaymaniyah – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|location = Sulaymaniyah (2012–2023 normals)
|Jan high C = 11.2
|Feb high C = 13.6
|Mar high C = 17.6
|Apr high C = 23.6
|May high C = 30.4
|Jun high C = 37.6
|Jul high C = 41.3
|Aug high C = 39.2
|Sep high C = 35.4
|Oct high C = 28.6
|Nov high C = 19.1
|Dec high C = 13.3
| year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 5.3
|Feb mean C = 7.1
|Mar mean C = 10.8
|Apr mean C = 15.6
|May mean C = 21.6
|Jun mean C = 27.8
|Jul mean C = 31.7
|Aug mean C = 30.2
|Sep mean C = 25.7
|Oct mean C = 19.8
|Nov mean C = 12.4
|Dec mean C = 7.6
| year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -0.6
|Feb low C = 0.6
|Mar low C = 4.1
|Apr low C = 7.6
|May low C = 12.7
|Jun low C = 18.1
|Jul low C = 22.1
|Aug low C = 21.3
|Sep low C = 16.1
|Oct low C = 11.0
|Nov low C = 5.8
|Dec low C = 1.8
| year low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 107.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 118.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 129.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 65.1
|May precipitation mm = 22.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 0.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 0.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 1.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 41.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 109.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 126.9
|year precipitation mm = 722.0
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 11.6
| Feb precipitation days = 9.6
| Mar precipitation days = 14.1
| Apr precipitation days = 11.1
| May precipitation days = 11.1
| Jun precipitation days = 5.9
| Jul precipitation days = 0.9
| Aug precipitation days = 0.1
| Sep precipitation days = 1.0
| Oct precipitation days = 0.5
| Nov precipitation days = 5.3
| Dec precipitation days = 9.0
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity    =75.7
| Feb humidity    =70.5
| Mar humidity    =70.5
| Apr humidity    =64.3
| May humidity    =47.2
| Jun humidity    =23.2
| Jul humidity    =19.0
| Aug humidity    =19.2
| Sep humidity    =23.8
| Oct humidity    =39.4
| Nov humidity    =64.8
| Dec humidity    =76.3
| Jan dew point C =-1
| Feb dew point C =0
| Mar dew point C =2
| Apr dew point C =4
| May dew point C =5
| Jun dew point C =3
| Jul dew point C =4
| Aug dew point C =4
| Sep dew point C =2
| Oct dew point C =2
| Nov dew point C =1
| Dec dew point C =2
| Jan snow days  =1.9
| Feb snow days  =1.1
| Mar snow days  =0.1
| Apr snow days  =0
| May snow days  =0
| Jun snow days  =0
| Jul snow days  =0
| Aug snow days  =0
| Sep snow days  =0
| Oct snow days  =0
| Nov snow days  =0
| Dec snow days  =0.9
| year snow days =
| Jan sun  =164.3
| Feb sun  =175.2
| Mar sun  =213.9
| Apr sun  =237.0
| May sun  =316.2
| Jun sun  =408.0
| Jul sun  =418.5
| Aug sun  =396.8
| Sep sun  =351.0
| Oct sun  =272.8
| Nov sun  =207.0
| Dec sun  =167.4
| year sun =
| Jand sun  =5.3
| Febd sun  =6.2
| Mard sun  =6.9
| Aprd sun  =7.9
| Mayd sun  =10.2
| Jund sun  =13.6
| Juld sun  =13.5
| Augd sun  =12.8
| Sepd sun  =11.7
| Octd sun  =8.8
| Novd sun  =6.9
| Decd sun  =5.4
| yeard sun =
| Jan light = 10.5
| Feb light = 11.4
| Mar light = 12.4
| Apr light = 13.6
| May light = 14.5
| Jun light = 15.0
| Jul light = 14.8
| Aug light = 13.9
| Sep light = 12.8
| Oct light = 11.7
| Nov light = 10.7
| Dec light = 10.3
| year light=
|source 1 = IEM<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/sites/monthlysum.php?station=ORSU&network=IQ__ASOS
|title= [ORSU] Sulaymaniyah [2010-] Monthly Summaries
|publisher=The Iowa Environmental Mesonet
|access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref> KRSO (precipitation 2012–2021, precipitation days 2014–2021 and snow 2013–2021)<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://krso.gov.krd/content/upload/1/root/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%89-%D9%83%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%B4-%D9%88-%D9%87%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%88%D8%A7-20-2-2020-%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D9%891.pdf
|title=Weather Statistics in Kurdistan Region Governorates for the years 2012-2021, Station : Sulaimany
|publisher=Kurdistan Region Government Ministry of Planning Kurdistan Region Statistics Office
|access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref>
|source 2= Weatherbase (daylight-dew point),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=32604&cityname=As+Sulaymaniyah%2C+As+Sulaymaniyah%2C+Iraq&units= |title=MONTHLY - ALL WEATHER AVERAGES: As-Sulaymaniyah |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Weatherbase |publisher=Cantymedia |no-pp=y}}</ref> Weather2visit(sun)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather2visit.com/middle-east/iraq/as-sulaymaniyah.htm |title=As-Sulaymaniyah Weather Averages |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Weather2visit |no-pp=y}}</ref>

}}

== Education ==
The [[University of Sulaymaniyah|University of Slemani]] was opened in 1968 with instruction in Kurdish, Arabic, and English. It has faculties in engineering, agriculture, the arts, science, and medicine. It is the largest university in the Kurdistan Region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.univsul.org/ |title=University of Sulaimani |publisher=Univsul.org |access-date=9 August 2012 |archive-date=20 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120134540/http://www.univsul.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A second university, [[Sulaimani Polytechnic University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spu.edu.iq/ |title=Sulaimani Polytechnic University |publisher=spu.edu.iq |access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref> was established in 2012, also teaching in Kurdish, English and Arabic.

In 2007 [[The American University of Iraq – Sulaimani]],<ref>[http://www.auis.org/ auis.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123043137/http://www.auis.org/ |date=23 November 2010 }}</ref> (AUI-S) was a new addition to the American universities in the Middle East, graduating its fifth class in 2016. Instruction at this private, not-for-profit liberal arts university is in English only, featuring a US-accredited program in English as a Second Language (ESL). There are a number of other private universities.

==Culture==
[[File:Adnan Karim.jpg|thumb|[[Adnan Karim]] in a joint concert with the [[Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra]] conducted by the renowned Kurdish composer A.J. Sagerma performing classical [[Kurdish music]]]]
Two independent newspapers ''[[Hawlati]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawlati.info/ |title=Hawlati.info |publisher=Hawlati.info |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Awena]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awene.com/awene.aspx |title=ئاوێنە نیوز |publisher=Awene.com |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> and two independent political magazines ''Lvin'' and ''Shock'', are published and distributed in Slemani city. Since 2016, there exists an International Film Festival in the city which is organized by the College of Fine Arts of the University of Sulaymanya.<ref name=":0" />

Slemani is the only city in South Kurdistan that regularly celebrates World Music Day or [[Fête de la Musique]]. In one trip to the city, a journalist working for the BBC wrote about Slemani's distinct culture:"Culture is hugely important to the Kurdish people, especially in Slemani, but there is a strong pull to the west—modernisation and consumerism—driven perhaps by the satellite televisions they have had access to since they started running their own affairs...And at the university, students mill around the campus, chattering with each other and doing some last-minute cramming for their exams. The war only stopped lectures for a few weeks. There are probably more women than men and they are happy to air their views to anyone who asks."<ref name="kurdishglobe.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.kurdishglobe.net/displayArticle.jsp?id=FF7021ECCC54CC6FE0DD6F8DA9AB3C75 |title=Kurdistan diary: Day Three |publisher=[[KurdishGlobe]] |date=28 October 2006 |access-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310064326/http://www.kurdishglobe.net/displayArticle.jsp?id=FF7021ECCC54CC6FE0DD6F8DA9AB3C75 |archive-date=10 March 2012  }}</ref>

Slemani was the home of poets such as [[Nalî]], [[Mahwi]], and [[Piramerd]].<ref name="Suli-200 years">{{cite book |last=Salih Rasha |first=Akram |title=Sulaymaniyah 200 Years |location=Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan |pages=503–504}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Is the Paris of Iraq |date=21 September 2016 |title=Sulaimani city, on verge of economic collapse? |url=https://ekurd.net/sulaimani-economic-collapse-2016-09-21 |website=Kurd Net – Ekurd.net Daily News}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Romanian amphitheater - sulaymaniyah.jpg|thumb|Roman [[Amphitheatre|amphitheater]] in Slemani, important tourist attraction in the city]]
[[File:Sarchnar Park, Slemani.jpg|left|thumb|Sarchnar Park]]
Since 2003, Slemani has experienced a growing local economy. Its economy today relies on tourism, agriculture<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investpromo.gov.iq/index.php?id=43 |title=Slemani |publisher=Investpromo.gov.iq |access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2016}} and a number of small factories, most of which are involved in the building trade.

In 2004 the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis in Iraq released an in-depth survey of the Slemani Governorate in which they surveyed each city. In this survey, one can see the economic boom of 2003 mentioned earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cosit.gov.iq/english/pdf/e_food_iraq1.pdf |title=Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis in Iraq |access-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814004337/http://cosit.gov.iq/english/pdf/e_food_iraq1.pdf |archive-date=14 August 2011  }}</ref>

===Tourism===
[[File:Inbound7554580745082834055.jpg|thumb|Hewari Shar Park]]
[[File:Victims of Saddam Hussein (6556996289).jpg|thumb|Victims of the [[Anfal campaign]] are represented by broken glass and tiny lights at the [[Amna Suraka]] museum in Slemani<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=The Museum of Amna Suraka: a Critical Case Study of Kurdistani Memory Culture|url=https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/events/2020/11/whats-new-fall-2020-bareez-majid|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Leiden University|language=en}}</ref>]]
[[File:Aram Gallery.jpg|thumb|Kurdish artist [[Tara Jaff]] playing the Harp during a cultural gathering at Aram Gallery]]
[[File:Sulaymaniyah at Night.jpg|thumb|Slemani at Night at the Top of Azmar Mountain]]

The city was visited by more than 60,000 tourists in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1000:arabische-toeristen-massaal-naar-koerdistan&catid=98:algemeen&Itemid=536 |title=Rudaw.NL, dé Opinieblog... |publisher=Rudaw.nl |access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>
Slemani attracted more than 15,000 Iranian tourists in the first quarter of 2010, many drawn by the fact it is not subject to strict laws faced at home. [[Newroz as celebrated by Kurds|Newroz]] 2010 drew an exodus of Iranian tourists choosing to celebrate the event in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3447:koerdistan-regio-is-het-europa-voor-iraanse-toeristen&catid=81:regio-koerdistan-irak&Itemid=458 |title=Rudaw.NL, dé Opinieblog... |publisher=Rudaw.nl |access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>

=== Museums ===
* '''[[Sulaimani Museum]]''': It is the second biggest museum after the [[National Museum of Iraq|national museum]] in Baghdad. It is home to many Mesopotamian, Kurdish and ancient Persian artifacts dating back to 1792–1750 BC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kurdishglobe.net/displayArticle.jsp?id=9D0418F74CC50D35119A23216AF8D240 |title=Suleimaniya Museum: a small place for a great civilization |publisher=KurdishGlobe |date=13 February 2008 |access-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308032928/http://www.kurdishglobe.net/displayArticle.jsp?id=9D0418F74CC50D35119A23216AF8D240 |archive-date=8 March 2012  }}</ref>
* [[Amna Suraka]] museum<ref name=":1" />
* Museum of Modern Art (''Mozehanai Hunari Howchah'')<ref name=":0" />
* Sulaimani Archeological Museum<ref name=":0" />

==Notable people==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER -->
{{Main articles|Category:People from Sulaymaniyah}}
[[File:Sheikh Mahmoud - Kurdistan's King (1918-1922).jpg|thumb|[[Mahmud Barzanji]]]]
* [[Khâlid-i Baghdâdî]] (1779–1827), sufist and Islamic thinker
* [[Salim (poet)|Salim]] (1800–1866), poet
* [[Nalî]] (1800–1873), poet
* [[Saeb (poet)|Saeb]] (1854–1910), poet
* [[Mahwi]] (1830–1906), poet
* [[Said Pasha Kurd]], (1834–1907), Ottoman statesman
* [[Şerif Pasha]], (1865–1951), Ottoman diplomat, ambassador and statesman
* [[Mustafa Yamulki]] (1866–1936), Minister of Education in the Kingdom of Kurdistan
* [[Haji Mala Saeed Kirkukli Zada]] (1866–1937), Minister of Justice in the Kingdom of Kurdistan
* [[Piramerd]] Tawfeq Mahmoud Hamza, (1867–1950), poet and journalist
* [[Mevlanzade Rifat Bey]], (1869–1930), journalist and politician
* [[Muhamed Amin Zaki]] (1880–1948), historian, statesman and politician
* [[Taufiq Wahby]] (1891–1984), linguist, politician and poet
* [[Sheikh Nuri Sheikh Salih Sheikh Ghani Barzinji]] (1896–1958), journalist and poet
* [[Ahmad Mukhtar Baban]] (1900–1976), prime Minister of Iraq 1958
* [[Abdulla Goran]] (1904–1962), founder of modern Kurdish poetry
* [[Ibrahim Ahmad]] (1914–2000), novelist, poet and translator
* [[Jamal Nebez]] (1933–2018), &nbsp;[[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] [[linguist]], mathematician, politician, author, translator and writer.
* [[Nawshirwan Mustafa]] (1944–2017), politician, historian and media proprietor<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wusha.net/ |title=Wusha Corporation |publisher=Wusha.net |access-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614210745/http://www.wusha.net/ |archive-date=14 June 2012  }}</ref>
* [[Barham Salih]], 8th president of Iraq
* [[Ahmad Hardi]] (1922–2006), poet
* [[Sherko Bekas]] (1940–2013), contemporary poet
* [[Bachtyar Ali]] (born 1960), novelist
* [[Muhamad Salih Dilan]] (1927–1990), musician and poet
* [[Shahab Sheikh Nuri]] (1932–1976), politician
* [[Dilshad Meriwani]], (1947–1989), actor, poet, writer and journalist
* [[Karzan Kardozi]], (born 1983) Filmmaker and writer
* [[Rizgar Mohammed Amin]] (born 1958), judge
* [[Mahmoud Othman]] (born 1938), politician
* [[Nozad Saleh Rifaat]] (born 1941), physician and politician
* [[Jalal Talabani]] (1933–2017), 6th president of Iraq
* [[Mahir Hassan]] (born 1963), actor and playwright
* [[Shwan Kamal]] (born 1967), artist
* [[Sara Omar]] (born 1986), novelist
* [[Simko Ahmed]] (born 1972), artist

==Sites==
* Tomb of king [[Cyaxares]] of [[Media (region)|Media]], [[Qyzqapan]]

==Politics==
In recent years, many people in Sulaymaniyah have distanced themselves from [[Kurdish nationalism]] as the [[Kurdistan Workers Party]] is experiencing a surge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kurdish Nationalism at an Impasse |url=https://tcf.org/content/report/iraqi-kurdistan-losing-place-center-kurdayeti/?agreed=1 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Century Foundation |agency=tcf.org |date=29 April 2019}}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tucson, Arizona]]<ref name="Tucson sisters">{{cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Tucson%20Sister%20Cities|title=Tucson Sister Cities|work=Interactive City Directory|publisher=Sister Cities International|accessdate=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222914/http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Tucson%20Sister%20Cities|archivedate=4 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The city is served by [[Sulaimaniyah International Airport]], with service on many commercial airlines, including [[Iraqi Airways|Iraqi]], [[Qatar Airways]], [[Royal Jordanian Airlines|Royal Jordanian]] and [[Turkish Airlines]].

== See also ==
* [[List of largest cities of Iraq]]
* [[2011 Kurdish protests in Iraq]]
* [[Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Kirkuk-Sulaimaniya]] (former Eastern Catholic diocese)
* [[Duhok]]
* [[Dohuk Governorate]]
* [[Erbil]]
* [[Erbil Governorate]]
* [[Kurdistan]]
* [[Kurds]]
* [[Ranya]]
* [[Saray Azadi]]
* [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate|Slemani Governorate]]
* [[Sulaymaniyah Museum]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Sulaymaniyah}}

{{Sulaymaniyah Governorate}}
{{Iraqi Kurdistan}}
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[[Category:Sulaymaniyah| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Iraqi Kurdistan]]
[[Category:District capitals of Iraq]]
[[Category:Populated places in Sulaymaniyah Province]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1784]]
[[Category:Kurdish settlements in Iraq]]
[[Category:1784 establishments in the Ottoman Empire]]