May 2015 of Farinaz Khosravani, a hotel chambermaid. Khosravani fell to her death from a fourth-floor window of the Tara hotel, the hotel where she worked. Anger mounted following reports that Khosravani died attempting to escape an official who was threatening to rape her. The rioters reportedly set fire to the hotel where Khosravani worked. Language and religion Most of Mahabad is populated by Kurds who follow the Sunni branch of Islam. Besides Kurdish, many speak Persian and Azeri Turkic as well. Neo-Aramaic-speaking Jews originally used to inhabit the city as well. References Sources External links Hemin Mukriani (iranica) Short Biography and works of Zabihi Article of the Monde Diplo on Mahabad (in French) Populated places in Mahabad County Cities in West Azerbaijan Province Iranian Kurdistan Kurdish settlements in West Azerbaijan Province