The Story of Diary Marif
When Diary Marif introduces himself as Kurdish, he often has to explain what that means. “A lot of people in Canada aren’t familiar with Kurdistan,” he says. “So I usually explain that it’s a region in the Middle East where the Kurdish people live, but it’s not an independent country.” Following World War I, Kurdistan was divided among Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, fragmenting the Kurdish population and subjecting them to decades of violence, discrimination, and erasure.
Diary was born in the Iraqi part of Kurdistan under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. It was a time of war and persecution. “Saddam launched brutal campaigns against the Kurds, including chemical attacks,” he recalls. “I grew up during wars, as a child of conflict.” After the fall of Saddam in 2003, a sense of hope emerged among the Kurdish people. However, that hope was short-lived. “Many of our own leaders repeated the same cycle of corruption and oppression.”
It was this environment that shaped Diary’s decision to become a journalist. He saw journalism as a tool to speak out against injustice and corruption. His reporting eventually made him a target. In 2017, after participating in protests against Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Diary and others were labeled traitors and terrorists. Friends were arrested. Homes were raided. Diary knew it was no longer safe to stay. He made his way to the United States, and eventually crossed into Canada. Today, he lives in Vancouver. He says, “Yes, my background very much shaped my career. It’s what made me a journalist, someone who believes in telling the truth, even when it’s dangerous.” Diary also draws from his lived experience and gives public talks about newcomers and sub-minority communities in order to spread awareness and help them feel heard.
Being an immigrant journalist in Canada hasn’t been easy. Though Diary now writes for CBC Arts, The Canadian Encyclopedia, and Rabble, the path to these platforms was steep. He says, “When people see my name in emails or meet me in person, I sometimes feel they doubt my abilities.” A common barrier is the infamous “Canadian experience” question. “It can feel like a polite way of saying I don’t belong yet.”
“Yes, my background very much shaped my career. It’s what made me a journalist - someone who believes in telling the truth, even when it’s dangerous.”
Diary also faces implicit discrimination. On one side are stereotypes about the Middle East, he says “When I say I’m Kurdish, some people ask if women get an education or if it’s dangerous where I’m from. These aren’t questions from curiosity, they come from assumptions.” On the other side is pressure from people within the broader Middle Eastern diaspora. “Some Arabs, Turks, and Iranians expect me to say I’m from Iraq, not Kurdistan, as if Kurdistan doesn’t exist.” Despite these challenges, Diary remains grounded. “Many people are open to learning,” he says, “and I use those moments to proudly share who we are.”
Being Kurdish also shapes his journalism in a positive way. “Kurdish stories are often missing from media and education here. That gap gives me a strong sense of purpose. It motivates me to tell the untold stories, not just for myself, but for others whose voices are also overlooked.”
Diary’s journey to journalism began long before Canada. “When I was a student, I knew writing and speaking out would be important,” he explains. In Kurdistan, breaking into media was hard. “I came from a village and had no connections. Many looked down on me.” The experience wasn’t entirely different in Canada. He struggled to find opportunities at first, but through his persisted and determination, was able to create a name and space for himself.
While he didn’t have a personal mentor, public intellectuals inspired him, especially Noam Chomsky and Edward Said. “Chomsky challenged mainstream media in the U.S. and stood by the truth. And Edward Said… his defense of Palestinian rights and critique of injustice shaped how I see the power of writing. I’m reading Reflections on Exile right now; it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.”
Diary believes that Asian-Canadian immigrants, including Kurds, can become leaders in journalism by embracing their unique perspectives. “We face challenges, being misunderstood, not taken seriously, but Canada values diversity. When we speak up, we can change the media landscape.”
The hardest part of his career so far? “Getting attention for the stories that matter to me. Kurdish or Palestinian stories are often dismissed as foreign.” He has dealt with rejection and instability, but has responded with determination: writing for multiple outlets, building trust, and continuing to pitch stories that push boundaries. “It’s still tough, but I believe these stories belong.”
His advice to young professionals from diverse backgrounds is simple: communicate well, build networks, stay informed, and above all, be patient. “If you’re from an immigrant background, success takes time. But persistence pays off.”
As for the future of journalism, Diary remains cautiously optimistic. “It’s hard to predict,” he admits, “but I know I’ll keep doing what I do, telling the truth, amplifying unheard voices, and making space for stories that deserve to be told.”
Explore More: Beyond the Borders Series
This video captures the spirit of “Moving Beyond Borders,” a powerful celebration of Asian Canadian voices, resilience, and community through storytelling, dialogue, and culture.
