Kurdistan Region President Reaffirms Support for Religious Diversity at Church Endowments Administration
Barzani also pointed to the Kurdistan Region’s record of inclusivity during the rise of ISIS, when the region became a haven for people of all faiths fleeing persecution. He emphasized that building a future based on respect for diversity remains a top priority.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday delivered a keynote address at the Church Endowments Administration Conference in Erbil, highlighting the Kurdistan Region’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of all communities and preserving its tradition of religious coexistence.
“Our participation today reflects our strong commitment to supporting the rights of all communities,” President Barzani stated, underscoring that safeguarding the rights of diverse groups is not merely a slogan, but a deeply held belief that guides policy and governance in the region.
Since the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its Parliament, Barzani noted, there has been consistent advocacy for the political participation of all communities. “The plurality of religious communities has become a source of strength and stability for Kurdistan,” he said.
Barzani also pointed to the Kurdistan Region’s record of inclusivity during the rise of ISIS, when the region became a haven for people of all faiths fleeing persecution. He emphasized that building a future based on respect for diversity remains a top priority.
Turning to the topic of church endowments administration, President Barzani stressed the importance of effective and responsible administration, describing Christians as “an integral part of this region's rich civilizational heritage.”
He voiced strong support for advancing legislation on Christian endowments, saying, “We reaffirm our full support for expediting a law on Christian endowments, in accordance with the spirit of the Iraqi constitution.”
Barzani also offered a message of reassurance to Christian communities: “Christians, like any other religious community in Kurdistan, are not guests; they are owners, contributors, and an indigenous part of this land and country.”
Concluding his remarks, Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s identity as a land of pluralism and freedom: “Kurdistan will always be a place of diversity, tolerance, and freedom.”
