Erbil, Kurdistan Region – December 24, 2020

The President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani issued the following message on Christmas:

On the occasion of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, I extend my warmest congratulations to our Christian community in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and around the world. I wish them a peaceful and joyous holiday and hope that this occasion will bring about more peace, tolerance and mutual respect in Iraq, the greater region and the world.

Regrettably, as in other countries around the world, large Christmas celebrations in the Kurdistan Region have been deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Christmas, however, will be honored and celebrated in the hearts of people of peace and goodwill everywhere, including in Kurdistan, where one of the oldest Christian communities in the world continues to survive and thrive. I hope that future celebrations will be held under better circumstances.

On this sacred occasion, we reiterate that the Kurdistan Region, as always, will remain a cradle of tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence for all communities. Together, through unity, consensus and resilience, we have managed to overcome periods of hardship and severe crises in the past. Therefore, we will address current challenges, including the pandemic, and move forward towards a brighter future.

Terrorism has caused destruction and displacement among our communities. We reassure our Christian citizens that we will continue to exert our best efforts to support the reconstruction and resettlement of their treasured homelands. We shall endeavor to protect their rights and prevent future displacement.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Nechirvan Barzani
President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-christmas-message/