Kurdistan Region PM congratulates Christians on Christmas Eve
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday congratulated Christians in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the world who are celebrating Christmas.
In a statement his press office released, Prime Minister Barzani extended his warm wishes to all those celebrating the prestigious holiday in the Kurdistan Region and abroad.
“At homes and at more than 120 churches across the Kurdistan Region, Christians will come together today to celebrate Christmas.”
The Kurdistan Region has often been lauded for being a beacon of religious tolerance, coexistence, and safety in an otherwise hostile Middle East.
Prime Minister Barzani reminded that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) continues to push for an inclusive society where all religions and races can live and enjoy equal rights.
He also said the Kurdistan Region has sheltered hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, including Christians who fled persecution at the hands of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and neighboring Syria.
“I am especially proud that the Kurdistani peoples welcomed these families at their greatest moment of need. That’s the spirit that I hope you will continue to embrace—today and everyday,” the statement added.
“Today is the perfect moment to reflect on the contributions of the Christian community in our society. It is also a time to honour those serving in the Peshmerga and security services: they provide security and safety to those of all faiths and backgrounds, and help give certainty to the many displaced people who have fled persecution and come to our region in need of shelter.”
Christians in the autonomous Kurdistan Region have already begun preparations ahead of Christmas celebrations on Wednesday.
Read More: VIDEO: Christians in Kurdistan Region prepare to celebrate Christmas
Meanwhile, in Iraq, Christians have decided not to celebrate the holiday in public this year in solidarity with anti-government protests, which have seen at least 500 people killed and thousands more injured in clashes with security forces.