Kurdish-German rapper Xatar, born Zhiyar Hajabi, passed away this month at the age of 43. He gained fame in Germany’s underground music scene and earned the nickname “Xatar,” meaning “danger.” On May 9, mourners gathered in Bonn, Germany, to say farewell at his funeral. His parents, Professor Iqbal Hajibi and Ghazal Paksherasht, were present among the large crowd. The emotional ceremony reflected the deep impact Xatar had across cultures and communities.
Friends and admirers recalled vivid memories and personal moments they shared with Xatar. Attendees came from diverse backgrounds, representing a fusion of ethnicities, sounds, and solidarities. Many spoke about the sense of pride he inspired in Kurdish youth across Germany. They praised him for staying true to his roots despite growing global recognition. The funeral showed how deeply Xatar’s presence had touched the lives of others.
His mother, Ghazal Paksherasht, tearfully remembered how her son once confronted claims that he only succeeded due to German connections. She quoted him saying, “It was Germans who raised me, and they made me a millionaire.” Xatar never forgot where he came from, nor did he overlook others who lacked resources. According to his mother, he planned a major project to support Kurdish artists. His goal was to bring music technology and financial support to emerging talent in Kurdistan.
He had hoped to visit Erbil in three months to launch this initiative. His mother shared that he believed Kurdish artists had talent but lacked financial means. Xatar wanted to help them overcome barriers and gain recognition. Unfortunately, fate interrupted his plan before he could realize it. Yet his intention remains a powerful reminder of his commitment.
Xatar also spoke openly about identity struggles among Kurdish youth in Germany. In a previous interview, he said he grew up speaking only Kurdish and never learned Farsi. He recalled the confusion people expressed when he identified as Kurdish. Many assumed he was Turkish, revealing broader challenges of cultural misrecognition. These experiences fueled his desire to assert and celebrate Kurdish identity through music.
Mourners emphasized how Xatar made Kurdish culture visible in Germany’s mainstream. Supporters like Parwar Ali expressed sorrow, calling his death a major loss. They said Xatar gave young Kurds in Germany the courage to say, “We are Kurdish.” Others like Mohammed Rostam described him as someone guided by morality and spirituality. They remembered him as a voice for the voiceless, not just an artist.
Xatar supported orphaned children in Germany and Kurdistan. He worked with local charities and visited shelters for children of fallen soldiers. His friend and project partner, Parwar Bako, said Xatar also helped the Yezidi community. After ISIS attacked Sinjar, Xatar raised awareness in Germany about the suffering there. He even helped build a school for displaced Yezidi children in Khanke.
Throughout his life, Xatar used rap as a tool for expression and resistance. He championed Kurdish identity and humanitarian values through every verse and action. His loss is not just a tragedy for music lovers but a blow to Kurdish cultural pride. However, his mission endures through the lives he touched and the projects he started. In every way, Xatar’s legacy of activism lives on.