Hopeful 2018 will bring peace, Barzani shares New Year message

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani on Sunday shared a message of hope for the people of the Kurdistan Region and the world as the new year approaches.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) declared Sunday and Monday a national holiday as people prepare for New Year celebrations.

“May 2018 bring more peace and prosperity to the entirety of the world,” Barzani said on his official Twitter account.

Happy New Year to the people of Kurdistan. May 2018 bring more peace and prosperity to the entirety of the world.

— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) December 31, 2017

The Kurdish leader held the post of President of Kurdistan for 12 years. During his tenure, the region flourished economically until mid-2014, when an economic crisis struck the Kurdistan Region, and the Islamic State (IS) emerged, threatening investments in the area.

Despite its challenges, the Kurdistan Region has been described as a model of pluralism and peaceful coexistence in an area ravaged by conflict and strife.

Kurdistan’s Muslim majority celebrates the Christmas and New Year holidays alongside Christians, Yezidis (Ezidis), Shabaks, Jewish and Turkmen minorities.