Can you give more information on your various points. I am interested in reading and learning from them
Nonetheless, I know a few Kurds, and did a fair bit of research when writing a blog, a few years ago, on Iran (history, culture & politics) - the blog was essentially written from a Zoroastrian (but secular) perspective, it was obvious, had a Faravahar picture on the sideboard too. I had regular Kurdish visitors, and several left regular comments there on Kurdish related threads, as did a few Turks! It was lively. I’ve closed the blog since and for now, but not because of Turks or Kurds.
I am unsure what you're specifically interested in. But the Kurds are not 'one group of people'. In Turkey alone, they've different dialects: Kirmanci, Sorani, Gorani, Dimili and Zaza. Kirmanci is close to present day Persian. Zaza is quite a different ‘language’. It is a similar story in Iran too. But am sure you can find out more searching on the internet.
Similarly there are different political groups. PKK, the most militant one, as you know, adheres to an ideology that combines socialism and nationalism, was very much influenced by the USSR’s socialist ideology, mostly operating out of Turkey. PKK has also been fighting the Khomeinist regime in Iran since the latter came to power. Then, there is PUK and KDP. They tend to be democratic, nationalist and secular (not socialist or militant as per PKK).
Admittedly, there are Kurdish tribes or smaller groups, particularly in Turkey and Iraq, and some individuals in Iran who are militant or very religious Islamics. But they are more the exception especially in Iran, as far as I’m aware. Even in Iraq, I should think the Islamic ones are very much in the minority.
About my liking the Kurds:
Well, as noted above, most Kurds (regardless of political party or tribe) have a very strong sense of nationalism, more so than of religion, which they ALL share. Hence, they, overall, tend to be more secular (separation of religion from politics) in attitude and politics too. That is to say they are more tolerant of other religions. That is true, when compared to the rest or most of the Arab world for example.
I think the Kurdish leaning towards secularism and nationalism stems from the fact that for a very long time, they haven’t had a state of their own. The only strong bonding comes not from being a muslim or a sunni, but from being a Kurd, despite differences in dialects or geographies.
The Kurds in Iraq, despite the politics and ongoing war continuously posing obstacles and instability, have managed to gradually give their community a basic political and social structure and foundation, which is democratic and non-religious. So far, it’s admirable.
Yes, they are also influenced by Islam, there are problems with, for example, female genital mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan, and also in Kurdish parts of Iran. But as far as I’m aware, those Islamic practices are family-specific, and Yazidis practice them more so than other Kurds. By the way, during the Shah’s reign, they tried to stop those practices in Kurdish parts of Iran.
Equally, the Peshmerga (Kurdish pronunciation) and Peeshmarga (Persian pronunciation) meaning ‘those who confront or are near death’, have many female fighters in their ranks. And, they don’t wear the hejab. Male or female, they’re very capable and great fighters.
Lastly, many Kurds may not want to admit it due to strong nationalism. But even their flag has a strong affinity with the traditional Iranian flag of Sun & Lion. The current Iraqi Kurdish flag has the yellow Sun and same colours (red, green and white) as the Iranian one. The Kurds are Iranic people and they know it. Many Kurds in Iraq, Turkey and Iran also have a very deep respect for Zoroastrianism and identify fairly strongly with it.
I can say more but I’m on my way out to have dinner. Hope the above made some sense to you. It was a brief brain dump written in a hurry.