Religion

Kurdistan's Ankawa will be biggest district of Christians in Middle East, says PM Masrour Barzani

"Most of [Ankawa's] residents have fled persecution in Nineveh, Baghdad & Syria. They have been welcomed among us. And now we offer them the chance to lay deeper roots in a sanctuary of their own."

Mustafa Shilani 2021/10/04 22:38

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during his visit to Ainkawa. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Kurdistan Kurdistan Christians Coexistence

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – "Ankawa will be the biggest district of Christians in the Middle East," Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on Monday after a ceremony to inaugurate the Christian-majority area in Erbil city as its own administrative unit.

"Today, I have decided to place the Ankawa district of Erbil under administrative control of its Christian residents. This move gives Christians, and other groups, rights to nominate civic leaders, appoint officials, manage their own security and directly shape their destinies," Barzani said in a tweet thread.

Today, I have decided to place the Ankawa district of Erbil under administrative control of its Christian residents. This move gives Christians, and other groups, rights to nominate civic leaders, appoint officials, manage their own security and directly shape their destinies. pic.twitter.com/5wD6Pso69C
— Masrour Barzani پابەندین# (@masrour_barzani) October 4, 2021

"Most of [Ankawa's] residents have fled persecution in Nineveh, Baghdad & Syria. They have been welcomed among us. And now we offer them the chance to lay deeper roots in a sanctuary of their own," Prime Minister Barzani added in a tweet.

The prime minister also visited Ankawa's Maryamana Hospital, "a private investment of $20m founded by the Chaldean Catholic Church with support from the US and Europe," he explained.

"The KRG has provided land and services to serve everyone in the community with affordable healthcare, for a better and safer future."