PM Barzani stresses ‘coexistence’ as he marks Islamic Prophet's birthday

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday extended his congratulations on the occasion of the Islamic Prophet’s birthday, stressing ways to “deepen the culture” of coexistence and harmony in the autonomous region.

The Kurdish leader’s remarks come as Muslims in the Kurdistan Region and abroad observed the birthday of the Islamic Prophet, born in 570 AD Gregorian calendar.

“On the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, I extend my heartfelt wishes to Muslims in the Kurdistan Region and around the world,” Prime Minister Masrour Barzani wrote in the statement.

Muslims around the world mark the occasion by decorating mosques and religious sites with colorful decorations and reciting Quranic verses.

“Now, more than ever, we see the importance of reconciliation, forgiveness, and the values that lie at the core of God’s sacred message to humanity,” Barzani added, calling on citizens to deepen “the culture of peaceful coexistence and harmony” in the Kurdistan Region.

Alongside Muslims, the 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 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.

Read More: Kurdistan Region’s Christians celebrate Islamic Prophet’s birthday

Previously, top religious authorities asked citizens to refrain from holding crowded ceremonies to mark the occasion as the region witnesses alarming COVID-19 surges.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany