KRG officials mark first Eid since IS defeat, referendum
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region high officials in their Eid al-Fitr statements to the people of Kurdistan called for unity and togetherness, marking the end of the month of Ramadan with a message of hope and positivity.
“[This Eid] is an opportunity for patriots to band together behind a common, national project to defend the national interests of Kurdistan. It's a moment that can unite us all,” Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor Masrour Barzani said in a statement, referencing his position on the ongoing work to “defend the natural rights of the Kurdish people.”
“This is a fitting movement, as the people of Kurdistan and Muslims around the world gather to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, to reflect on the heroism by our security forces, including Peshmerga, selflessly defending the land and its peoples.”
Barzani was joined by the former president of the Kurdistan Region and current head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, in extending his congratulations and warmest wishes to the families of martyrs, the Peshmerga of Kurdistan, and security forces.
بەبۆنەی جەژنی ڕەمەزانی پیرۆزەوە، گەرمترین پیرۆزبایی لە موسڵمانانی کوردستان بەتایبەتی و عێراق و جیهان بەگشتی دەکەم.
— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) June 14, 2018
Wishing all Muslims a happy and pleasant Eid
بمناسبة حلول عيد الفطر المبارك، اتقدم بأحر التهاني والتبريكات لمسلمي كوردستان خاصة ومسلمي العراق والعالم اجمعين.
Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister, in a televised speech congratulated the families of the martyrs, the Peshmerga forces and all the people of Kurdistan.
The PM said he hoped for better times ahead and wished “happiness and peace for the people of Kurdistan” in a video he shared on his official page.
In his Eid message, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani asked for the people of Kurdistan to remember and honor the memory of those who have passed away and to spare a thought and time for people in need.
Eid al-Fitr is the feast marking the end of the month of the holy month of Ramadan. The KRG declared Sunday and Monday official holidays.
This is the first Eid al-Fitr celebrated throughout Iraq since the defeat of the Islamic State (IS). The Kurdistan Region also underwent a referendum, Baghdad-imposed sanctions, and federal elections which continue to cause general instability throughout the country.
Editing by Nadia Riva