On Wednesday, December 22, 2025, Garmian University bestowed honorary shields upon three distinguished Garmian figures in Kurdistan: Latif Helmet, Sheikh Mohammed Shakeli, and Dr. Khasraw Jaf.

In his speech, the President of Garmian University stated, "I cordially thank you for attending this wonderful ceremony, which is organized to honor three stars of our region—three remarkable individuals whose lives, deeds, writings, and struggles inspire us all. Their life stories are guiding examples, lighting the path of life and shaping the future." Professor Dr. Aras F. Zainal also announced that these awards would become an annual tradition, inviting other prominent Garmian writers and individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields.

The shields of honor were then presented to the three writers and prominent figures from Garmian and Kurdistan.

However, due to health issues, Latif Helmet and Sheikh Mohammed Shakeli were unable to attend the ceremony.

Upon receiving the shield of honor, Dr. Khasraw Jaf expressed that while he has been recognized with numerous awards from various organizations, none were as meaningful to him as this one.

In a video message sent for the occasion, renowned poet Latif Helmet expressed his gratitude to Garmian University for organizing the event.

Latif Helmet, born in Kifri in 1947, released his first poetry work in 1969 in Rzgari magazine.

His first book of poetry, God and Our Little City, was published in 1970.

Over his prolific career, he has authored more than 80 works spanning poetry, fiction, research, plays, and children's literature.

He has also received numerous awards for his contributions to literature.

Sheikh Mohammed Shakeli, a native of Kalar born in 1943, participated in the September (Aylul) Revolution and co-founded the Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party in 1976.

Until 2001, he served in the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Sheikh Mohammed Shakali has written 16 books in Kurdish and Arabic on topics such as history, education, politics, and memoirs.

Since 1995, he has been the head of the Kirkuk Intellectual Organization.

Dr. Khasraw Jaf was born in Kalar in 1945.

He joined the Peshmerga in 1963 and served as chief of the Garmian branch.

He earned a master's degree in Architecture from Tehran University's College of Fine Arts and returned to Iraq in 1980.

He has contributed 140 books to the Kurdish literary collection.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein, he was elected to Iraq's parliament (National Assembly).

Dr. Jaf erected a monument in Erbil honoring Kurdish martyrs and has received honorary doctorates from Cambridge University, Kurdistan University, and an American academic institution in Cairo.