Kurdistan Region’s Christians celebrate Islamic Prophet’s birthday
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Christians in the Kurdistan Region celebrated the Islamic Prophet’s birthday on Thursday, issuing a congratulatory statement and participating in events held on the occasion.
The celebrations came as Muslims in the Kurdistan Region and around the world on Thursday observed the birthday of the Islamic Prophet, born in 570 AD Gregorian calendar.
The top Christian church in Erbil, the Chaldean Archdiocese, congratulated the “Muslim brothers” in the region on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday as they rejected “any irresponsible act that disrespects sacred religious symbols,” according to a statement.
The statement also stressed the importance of coexistence and diversity in the country.
Muslims around the world mark the occasion by decorating mosques and religious sites with colorful decorations and reciting Quranic verses.
A delegation of Christians in Erbil decorated a mosque in the city, signaling the religious coexistence and harmony between Muslims and followers of Christianity.
Ano Abdoka is one of the Christians who participated in decorating the Qazi Mohammad Mosque in Erbil, nearby the Christian town of Ankawa. Abdoka is the minister of transportation and communications in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ninth cabinet.
“We come to this mosque annually on this occasion,” Abdoka told Kurdistan 24, as he extended his congratulations to all Muslims, hoping, “we’re always together.”
Today on the Occasion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) birthday المولد النبوي الشريف,with a number of Ankawa Christians we visited Qazi Muhammad Mosque ? in KuraniAnkawa, Erbil neighborhood, & decorated the mosque & congratulated our Muslim brothers on this happy occasion. @Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/TaPIrjWlx5
— Ano Abdoka (Anu) ܐܢܘ ܥܒܕܘܟܐ (@AnoAbdoka) October 29, 2020
The cleric of the mosque, Mullah Hassan Qadiyani, appreciated the move by the Christian delegation, describing it as a “sign of love and coexistence.”
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday commemorated the occasion, reminding of the values the Prophet upheld: “coexistence, peace, and tranquility.”
On the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s birth, let us be reminded of the values he embodied – of co-existence, peace and tranquillity. -mb pic.twitter.com/oubYVSVJ9I
— Masrour Barzani پابەندین# (@masrour_barzani) October 29, 2020
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany