ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Thursday extended Eid al-Fitr greetings to Muslims worldwide, coupling their well-wishes with calls for peace as the region faces mounting tensions.
“Let us embrace the profound meanings and messages of this holiday, which embody tolerance, freedom, and reconciliation, as a renewed opportunity to strengthen our unity and togetherness,” Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement issued by the presidency.
President Barzani stressed that at such a critical time, “as our region navigates the complexities and threats of war, it is imperative for everyone to act with a sense of historical and national responsibility to safeguard the Kurdistan Region and confront the challenges ahead.”
This year’s Eid al-Fitr comes as the Middle East experiences heightened instability amid an ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and neighboring Iran.
“We look to the future with hope and optimism, confident that the people of Kurdistan will navigate this challenging period with resilience and solidarity,” he added.
The Eid al-Fitr holiday will begin in the Kurdistan Region on Friday.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also offered his greetings.
“Happy Eid to all Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world,” he wrote on X. “May this Eid bring joy, peace, and an end to war and conflict in our region and the world.”
President Masoud Barzani, leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), also extended his congratulations.
“On this holy occasion, I wish prosperity and happiness to the beloved people of Kurdistan and ask God to accept the fasting and prayers of all Muslims, and to bring peace and tranquility to our region and all humanity,” he said in a statement.
For his part, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani stressed the importance of maintaining unity in his Eid message.
“As we welcome this blessed Eid, the region is facing challenges and difficult circumstances,” Talabani said. “Therefore, it is our duty to unite our efforts and work together in a spirit of cooperation and patriotism to maintain security and stability in our country, so that our people do not fall victim to conflict.”