Chinese martial arts enthusiasts practice at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
BAGHDAD, June 21 (Xinhua) — At a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah city in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, more than 100 local Chinese martial arts enthusiasts, dressed in traditional training uniforms, are intently practicing martial arts routines with force, precision and thunderous short yells of “hee-haw.”
Despite the heat of midsummer in Sulaymaniyah, when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, their passion for martial arts burns even hotter.
Amid the rigorous training, Burhan, the martial arts club's founder, walks among his students, correcting and directing their techniques.
Like many foreign enthusiasts of Chinese kung fu, Burhan became fascinated with the sport after watching Bruce Lee movies. He devoured books, bought DVDs, sought out local masters and began his martial arts journey at age eight.
As he delved deeper, his interest in Chinese culture grew stronger. “To master Chinese martial arts, you have to understand the culture and philosophy behind it,” Burhan explained.
“As the Arab proverb goes, 'Seek knowledge even if you have to go to China'. The same applies to martial arts,” he added.
In 2011, Burhan embarked on a journey to Henan, China to pursue his Chinese Kung Fu dream. This dream-fulfilling journey allowed Burhan to receive comprehensive martial arts training and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural logic and traditional spirit behind various Chinese martial arts styles.
“Shaolin emphasizes both internal and external training, Tai Chi embodies the wisdom of overcoming the strong with the strong, and Wing Chun balances hard and soft. Every movement of Chinese martial arts embodies the essence of ancient Chinese philosophy,” said Burhan.
In the following years, Burhan made multiple trips to China for advanced training, and in 2017 he founded the Shaolin Martial Arts Club in Sulaymaniyah, where he not only teaches Chinese martial arts but also introduces many Iraqis to Chinese culture.
Since then, the school has enrolled more than 3,000 Iraqi martial arts enthusiasts, from children to seniors.
Solan, a 59-year-old martial arts enthusiast, said that throughout his 15-year martial arts journey, he realised that the essence of Chinese kung fu is not about fighting but about facing one's inner fears.
“Learning martial arts has deepened my understanding of Chinese culture. The aim of martial arts is not to dominate or intimidate others, but to cultivate strong character with self-confidence, self-reliance, open-mindedness and tolerance,” Solan said, adding that this is in line with China's image on the international stage.
Daniel, 17, who was born in Shenzhen, China and lived in China for five years before returning to Iraq with his parents, often reminisces about his childhood in China.
“I was always looking for a way to relive my memories in China and then I found this martial arts club. This club helped me reconnect with China. Learning martial arts is hard work, but it teaches me discipline and the perseverance to never give up,” Daniel said.
Burhan is pleased that many Iraqis have become keenly interested in China's development and culture through martial arts, and in his view, Chinese kung fu is not only a bridge between China and Iraq, but also a window for Iraqis to understand Chinese culture.
“Chinese people often say, 'you make friends through martial arts,' which reflects Chinese civilization's openness to cultural exchange,” Burhan said.
“Martial arts not only makes the body stronger, but also brings people closer together. Despite the great distance between Iraq and China, martial arts have brought them closer together,” Burhan said. ■
Chinese martial arts enthusiasts practice at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
Chinese martial arts enthusiasts practice at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
Chinese martial arts enthusiasts practice at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
Burhan (front row) demonstrates martial arts moves at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
Burhan (from back) corrects a student's martial arts movements at a martial arts club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)
