Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – In a statement, the Kurdistan Regional Government Council of Ministers congratulated all Christians - Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans, Armenians, and all others - in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world who celebrate Easter and the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year Festival, Akitu.

Following is the text of the statement:

On the occasion of Easter and Akitu we extend our warmest congratulations to our Assyrian, Syriac, Chaldean, Armenian, and all other Christian brothers and sisters in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the world. We wish them a Happy Easter and Akitu in safety and prosperity.

Easter and Akitu come at a time when tens of thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters are, unfortunately, living in displacement, where terrorist attacks in the Nineveh Plain, Mosul, and many other parts of Iraq forced them to leave their homes.

We hope to celebrate the coming events in better conditions with our Christian brothers and sisters as they return with dignity to their homeland to continue pursuing secure and stable lives.

Happy Easter and Akitu.