Iraqi Leaders Send Condolences to President Barzani Ahead of Sunday Funeral
Iraqi leaders including Ammar al-Hakim, Ayad Allawi and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani offered condolences to President Barzani following the death of Abdulwahid Ibrahim Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani, the eldest member of the Barzani family.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Senior Iraqi political leaders and public figures have offered condolences to President Barzani and the wider Barzani family following the death of Abdulwahid Ibrahim Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani, the eldest member of the Barzani family, as funeral arrangements were announced for Sunday in Barzan.
The messages came from figures representing different strands of Iraq's political landscape, including Ammar al-Hakim, Ayad Allawi, Osama al-Nujaifi, Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Farhad Atrushi and the Azm Alliance.
Abdulwahid Ibrahim Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani was a grandson of Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani, the prominent religious and national figure. President Barzani announced his death on Friday, Sept. 4.
In his announcement, President Barzani described Abdulwahid as a respected senior member of the family who was known for piety, devotion to God and benevolence.
The deceased was the eldest member of the wider Barzani family, rather than President Barzani's biological brother.
Condolences From Across Iraq's Political Spectrum
Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, issued a condolence message Saturday expressing sympathy to President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Hakim said he shared the grief of the Barzani family over the death of the late Abdulwahid Barzani and prayed that God would grant the deceased mercy and give patience and consolation to his relatives and the people of Kurdistan.
Ayad Allawi, head of the National Coalition, also said he had received the news with profound sorrow.
In his message, Allawi extended condolences to President Barzani and the Barzani family and prayed for mercy for the deceased and comfort for those mourning him.
Former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi similarly expressed sympathy to President Barzani and the family, offering prayers for Abdulwahid and his relatives.
Iraqi politician Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum extended condolences specifically to President Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, asking that the deceased be granted mercy and that his family be given patience.
Adnan Dirjal, Iraq's former sports minister and former president of the Iraqi Football Association, also offered condolences to President Barzani and expressed sympathy over the family's loss.
The messages followed condolences from other senior Iraqi figures shortly after Abdulwahid's death was announced.
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, now leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, said Friday that he offered his condolences to President Barzani and prayed that Abdulwahid be granted mercy and that his family and loved ones be given patience.
The Azm Alliance also issued a message saying it had received news of Abdulwahid's death with "profound sorrow and grief."
The alliance extended its condolences to President Barzani and the entire family and prayed for mercy for the deceased.
Farhad Atrushi, deputy speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives, similarly expressed condolences to President Barzani and the people of Kurdistan.
Atrushi said the loss had been received with profound sadness and offered prayers for Abdulwahid and those mourning him.
The breadth of the messages reflects the longstanding political and social relationships maintained by the Barzani family with political leaders across Iraq's Kurdish, Shiite and Sunni communities.
Funeral and Condolence Ceremonies Announced
Barzani Headquarters announced Saturday that Abdulwahid Ibrahim Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani's funeral and the first day of condolences will be held in Barzan on Sunday, Sept. 6.
According to the official announcement, the second and third days of condolences will take place in Pirmam on Monday, Sept. 7, and Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Barzan holds deep historical significance for the Barzani family and the broader Kurdish national movement, making it the principal location for the funeral ceremony.
President Barzani's statement Friday emphasized Abdulwahid's position as a respected senior figure within the family.
He described him as a grandson of Sheikh Abdulsalam Barzani and as someone whose life was characterized by faith, benevolence and service.
The condolence messages issued since Friday have similarly focused on Abdulwahid's standing within the family and the sense of loss felt by its members and those close to them.
The funeral on Sunday is expected to bring together relatives, political figures, community representatives and mourners in Barzan, followed by two further days of condolences in Pirmam.
The series of messages from Iraqi leaders underscores the national reach of the condolences, extending beyond the Kurdistan Region and across Iraq's political spectrum.