Politics

Masoud Barzani extends message of congratulations to Christians celebrating Easter

Masoud Barzani on Saturday extended his wishes to the Christians in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq who are celebrating Easter.

Karzan Sulaivany 2018/03/31 18:14

kurdistan Easter Christians Masoud Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Former President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani on Saturday extended his wishes to the Christians in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq who are celebrating Easter.

“I extend my warm greetings and congratulations to our Christian brothers and sisters in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” Barzani said in a statement, adding he hoped this year’s Easter celebrations bring with them an end to terror against religious minorities in the region.

“I hope for continued coexistence and peace between all components in the region and wish that all the trials of the Christian brothers in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the whole world will end,” he continued.

Happy kha b-Nisan (Assyrian/Babylonian New Year) to the Christians of Kurdistan, Iraq and the rest of the world. It is my sincere hope that the coming year will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to this ancient community whose presence further strengthens our diversity
— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) April 1, 2018

The former Kurdistan Region President concluded by wishing all those in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq who are celebrating the holiday a happy Easter.

Christians wait to receive a painted egg during celebrations after the Easter Mass in Mar Gewargis (St George) Chaldean Catholic church, which was damaged by Islamic State militants, in the town of Tel Esqof, Iraq, April 16, 2017. (Photo: Reuters/Marko Djurica)

Easter is a religious holiday observed by Christians worldwide celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. The holiday is not held on the same date every year, known as a “moveable feast.”

Hundreds of Christians across the Kurdistan Region gathered freely at Churches and religious sites on Saturday evening to attend mass.

Prayers were held at Churches in the city of Al-Qosh in southeastern Duhok, Shaqlawa, located in the north of Erbil, and Sulaimani Province.

Peshmerga forces place a cross on top of a Christian church in the town of Bashiqa, northeastern Mosul, Nov. 10, 2016. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Following the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) in mid-2014 across Iraq, Christian families were forced to leave their homes in the Nineveh Plains or risk being targeted by the extremist group.

In all, 100,000 Christians from across Nineveh are estimated to have abandoned their farmlands, villages, and towns.

According to Christian officials in the Kurdistan Region, there were 1.3 million Christians in Iraq in 2003. Since then, the Iraqi Christian population has decreased by one million, with hundreds more continuing to leave.