Prime Minister Barzani Offers Condolences Over Death of Salahaddin University Graduate
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani offers condolences over the death of Zilan Dashti, 23, who suffered a medical emergency during her graduation in Erbil.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday, extended his condolences to the family of Zilan Dashti, a 23-year-old Salahaddin University-Erbil graduate who died following a medical emergency during her graduation ceremony the previous evening.
In a message of sympathy, Prime Minister Barzani said he was deeply saddened by the young woman's death on what should have been a day celebrating her academic achievement.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Zilan Dashti, a graduate of the Department of Environmental Health and Science at the College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, who tragically passed away yesterday, on the day of her graduation ceremony," the prime minister said.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives, and friends. May Almighty God grant her a place in paradise and give her loved ones strength, patience, and solace during this difficult time," he added.
Student Dies During Graduation Ceremony
Dashti suffered a sudden health emergency on Thursday, Nov. 12, during the university's 45th graduation ceremony in Erbil.
Saman Abdullah, Salahaddin University's director of media, confirmed her death to Kurdistan24, saying the emergency occurred inside the stadium hosting the ceremony and that she died while being transported to a hospital.
Rezhwan Dler, a student representative at the university's College of Science, also spoke to Kurdistan24 about the incident. University authorities did not provide further medical details.
President Masoud Barzani separately issued a condolence message on Friday addressed to Dashti's father, Dashti Omar Osman. He expressed sorrow over her death and conveyed his sympathies to the family and university students.
Prime Minister Barzani had attended the graduation ceremony, which brought together members of the university's 45th graduating class.
The messages of condolence followed a tragedy that overshadowed the university celebration, as family members, friends and fellow students mourned a young graduate whose life ended on the day she was to mark the completion of her studies.