PM Barzani congratulates Muslims on Ramadan feast
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday evening congratulated Muslims in the region, Iraq, and around the world on the occasion of the Ramadan feast (aka Eid al-Fitr), according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The Prime Minister hoped Kurdistan would be blessed with happiness, prosperity, and the end of all wars, sufferings, and miseries around the world.
“My sincere thanks go out to the patriotic people of the Kurdistan Region for their resistance and patience, which enabled us to overcome this difficult economic condition. It is my sincere hope that the agreement and understanding on salaries and financial entitlements between the relevant Iraqi government parties will continue and that the issue of salaries, which is a constitutional and legitimate right of the people, will not be politicized in the future,” the statement read.
He also hoped that these steps would represent a beginning toward resolving other outstanding issues and that the constitution would be understood and followed in order to resolve all remaining issues.
Happy Eid to Muslims in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and beyond.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) April 9, 2024
May this Eid bring continued peace, joy and prosperity to us all.
Pshtiwan Sadiq, the Kurdistan Region's Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, announced in a press conference on Monday that Tuesday will be counted as the last day of Ramadan due to the visibility of the crescent moon in the Kurdistan Region. Therefore, Wednesday would be the first of Eid al-Fitr.
Religious authorities in most Muslim-majority nations typically declare the exact Ramadan schedule, which can vary a day or so depending on the visible stations of the moon, for all those within its borders. In Iraq, however, the faithful from different sects – or in this case, the Kurdistan Region – often end up beginning and ending their month of fasting on divergent dates.
Following the feast sermons, families gather around a table, enjoying a heavy breakfast meal consisting of rice, different kinds of stews, and red and white meat. Candies, nuts, sweets, caffeinated beverages, and juices are also served as part of the hospitality.
Preparations for the feast in the Region start at least a week earlier as people flock to the markets to buy new outfits for the festival. Some people wear traditional Kurdish clothes while others stick to modern clothing.
Kids are given a sum of money as Eid gifts by their relatives and parents before visiting playgrounds and parks to meet their friends.