Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on the occasion of the New Year congratulated and offered his best wishes to all communities of the Kurdistan Region.
Below is the text of Prime Minister Barzani's message:
On the occasion of the New Year, I extend my best wishes to all of you. The people of Kurdistan have long suffered and made countless sacrifices in their struggle for a brighter future and to live a peaceful and modern life. I hope their difficulties will be overcome and aspirations achieved.
The people of Kurdistan get all the credit for achievements and accomplishments in the past, since they are the driving force behind all the successes and innovations. Within the realm of progress, shortcomings can emerge as part of the process and can offer opportunity for improvement as we continue to move forward.
The people of Kurdistan in 2018 demonstrated, to inside and the outside world, important attributes when they kept their support to genuine forces in the two Kurdistan and Iraqi parliamentary elections. They demonstrated that the people and the government form one single strong united front which disillusioned the foes.
The people of Kurdistan today are a strong and dynamic example in the Middle East. We represent an area that is free of all forms of political, ethnic, religious or sectarian persecution. Although the majority of our people are Muslims, we are also composed of many other religious communities living in absolute equality with each other.
On the occasion of the New Year, I wish all the people of Kurdistan of every ethnic and religious community all the very best - Sunni and Shia Muslims, Christians – Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Armenians - Yezidis, Kakayees, Sabean-Mandeans, Shabaks, Zoroastrians, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens and others. And also all displaced people and citizens from Syria and Iraq who took refuge in Kurdistan, and all those who live and will celebrate the New Year among us.
I, especially, offer my best wishes to our youth, students, and women seeking a better life and a brighter future. I offer my special best
wishes to the children of Kurdistan. I offer my profound gratitude and best wishes to our security forces and their families - Peshmerga, Asayish, and police – who have been protecting us so well.
On this occasion, we remember all those who shed their blood in ultimate sacrifice for the homeland. Special wishes to their families, hoping their hearts will rejoice with the progress of Kurdistan.
My thanks and appreciation to the people of Kurdistan, notably the staff of the Kurdistan Regional Government, for their understanding and steadfastness during crisis periods. We are confident the most difficult days are behind us and a bright, stable, progressive, and prosperous future await the people of Kurdistan.
May Kurdistan and the rest of the world celebrate this New Year’s Day in peace, joy, and happiness.
Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government
31 December 2018
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