Kurdistan welcomes Iraqi declaration of March 6 as National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – After the historic visit of Catholic Church leader Pope Francis to the ancient city of Ur in Iraq’s Nasiriyah province and his meeting with the country’s top Shia cleric, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi declared March 6 as a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence.

On the second day of his historic three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis early Saturday flew to Iraq’s southern city of Najaf to meet top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, marking the first time in history leaders of the two faiths meet each other.

Following his meeting, the pontiff headed to the ancient city of Ur. in Dhi Qar province, where he led an interfaith prayer service in the presence of followers of various religions.

“In celebration of the historic meeting in Najaf between Ayatollah Ali [al-Sistani] and Pope Francis, and the historic inter-religious meeting in the ancient city of Ur, we declare March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in Iraq,” Prime Minister Kadhimi tweeted.

In celebration of the historic meeting in Najaf between Ayatollah Ali AlSistani and Pope Francis, and the historic inter-religious meeting in the ancient city of Ur, we declare March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Cooexistence in Iraq.

— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) March 6, 2021

Soon after, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Kadhimi’s decision. “I welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s declaration of March 6 as the National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence, as historic Papal visit continues in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

I welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s declaration of March 6 as the National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence, as historic Papal visit continues in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) March 6, 2021

Following his arrival to Iraq on Friday, the pontiff was welcomed by Iraq’s top political officials before visiting Our Lady of Salvation Church in capital Baghdad, which was the site of a bloody terrorist attack in 2010.

Read More: ‘Pilgrim of peace’ Pope Francis begins historic visit to Iraq

On March 7, the pope will visit the autonomous Kurdistan Region, where he will meet with top officials, including Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and will later hold a Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium for nearly 10,000 attendees, an organizer told Kurdistan 24.

Editing by Khrush Najari