Kurdish leaders mark Newroz with message of peace to people of Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On the eve of Newroz, senior leaders in the autonomous Kurdistan Region extended their messages of peace and hope to the people of Kurdistan.

“Happy New Year to the people of Kurdistan and others who celebrate Newroz. May the coming year bring more peace and prosperity to the region,” Masoud Barzani, the President of the leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and former president of the Kurdistan Region, wrote on his official Twitter account on Wednesday.

In a separate statement, Barzani said Newroz symbolizes a new beginning for the people of Kurdistan and always brings hope for triumph over difficulties.

“We call upon all parties, in respect for the blood of the martyrs, the bravery of the Peshmerga, and the steadfastness of the people of Kurdistan, to put Kurdistan’s protection and progress first,” he said.

Barzani mentioned that the Kurds’ current state is another phase in the lives of the people of the Kurdistan Region. It requires the building of a stable and prosperous Kurdistan, he said, and a confident step toward realizing the wishes of all the Kurdish citizens and respecting their will.

“The prevailing freedom and the gains achieved are the results of the blood of the martyrs and the steadfastness of the Kurds.”

Barzani called for people to protect the culture of coexistence and social harmony which is prevalent among the different components in the Kurdistan Region, and wished such a culture continues to deepen.

Newroz marks the coming of Spring and the start of a new year. The Kurds celebrate the occasion from March 21 to 23 annually.

For the Kurdish people, Newroz is an event which symbolizes their revolution and struggles throughout history. It has also become one of the most common festivals in the region, growing in popularity each year.

In a congratulatory message, the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC), Masrour Barzani, sent his “best wishes for a happy and prosperous Newroz to the people of Kurdistan.”

“Newroz carries a special meaning for the Kurdish people; far beyond the start of a New Year, it is the embodiment of triumph over evil. It also represents renewal, and that’s the spirit I hope the people of Kurdistan will continue to embrace year after year,” the Chancellor said.

Elsewhere, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani praised the patience of the people over the past few years to overcome all the crises and difficulties the autonomous region has faced, promising the Region would recover and continue to develop.

He commended the coexistence and tolerance in the region, noting that the principle of Newroz carries this culture.

“Our defending fight against the barbaric Da’esh [Islamic State] successfully ended. The economic recovery has already started, and steps toward normalization,” the prime minister added.

“Our bet is the success of Kurdistan. We passed a long road, and there is a little left. We’ve given many sacrifices, and we should reach our day. We want happiness for others as much as we want for ourselves, especially for our brothers, the people of Iraq,” he continued.

“The Kurdistan Region is a true part of Iraq, and the country’s constitution has made this decision.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany