SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — PUK supporters paid homage in Sulaimani to the late founders "Mam" Jalal Talabani and Adil Murad on the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of the party on Friday.
"Today, on this day, on the anniversary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, we have come to the tomb of our great leader," Qadr Hama Jan, the head of PUK's Office No. 1 in Sulaimani, told reporters.
Jalal Talabani, Nawshirwan Mustafa, Adil Murad, Fuad Masum, and others established the party on June 1, 1975.
"Besides congratulating the entirety the peoples of Kurdistan, we renew commitment to the path of PUK, the path of our great Mam," Jan added from Dabashan Hill referencing Mam (Uncle) Jalal.
The party's central council and other officials started the commemoration with visiting the tomb of Talabani and are set to visit the tomb of Murad.
The emblem of the PUK reads: "Peace, democracy, human rights, and self-determination."
"The right to self-determination is a legal, humane, and constitutional right of our people," said Jan.
He also urged national unity.
"Our message is for the unity of our nation, the unity of all of the Kurdish nation and the components of Kurdistan, to all the political parties of Kurdistan for us to try to resolve issues democratically, peacefully, for us to strengthen the position of our nation not only in Iraq, but all of the area to make the wishes and dreams of our nation come true," said Jan.
Qubad Talabani said that a strong PUK means a strong Kurdistan.
"Being a PUK supporter is to believe in some principles. Being a PUK supporter, different from the supporters of other parties, is part of our daily lives," wrote Qubad Talabani in a Facebook post.
The PUK member is the KRG's deputy prime minister and the youngest son of Jalal Talabani.
"[It's] committing to peace, to the point where war and challenges face us, committing to the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, starting administrative reforms and good governance," added Qubad Talabani.
He said PUK is not limited to a city, zone, or province, and PUK's principles span the borders.
"A strong Kurdistan puts Iraq on a healthy and right track. A strong PUK makes Kurdistan stronger," Qubad added.
The party has gone through multiple crises, starting with Mustafa founding the Change Movement (Gorran) in 2009. Mustafa and Talabani both passed away in 2017. Longtime PUK member Barham Salih also broke away from the party last year to form his Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ). Murad died in May.
Kosrat Rasul is the acting leader of the party until it can hold its next congress. Despite the challenges, the PUK won 18 seats in Iraq's parliamentary election on May 12 — the second-most among parties from the Kurdistan Region. It also won the most seats in Sulaimani and Kirkuk provinces, their traditional strongholds.
The politburo thanked supporters for helping the party succeed in the election, asking for more support as Kurdistan will hold its own parliamentary election on September 30.
"At this time, we are asking that they prepare themselves with the same enthusiasm and excitement for the elections of Kurdistan's parliament, and to repeat to everyone that PUK supporters are worthy of being trusted," read their statement.
The politburo laid a wreath "of respect and loyalty at the holy tomb at the leader of the national liberation movement of our nation, Mr. Mam Jalal, and all the martyrs of the path of obtaining liberty," it added.
The largest party in the Kurdistan Region, the KDP, issued a congratulatory message.
"On the 43rd anniversary of the foundation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, we extend warm congratulations to you, the leadership members and all the members and supporters and wish you success," reads a KDP Politburo statement.
Talabani was a KDP member before founding the PUK.
The KDP stated they are remembering the day "with respect" praising the PUK for serving in the national liberation movement for Kurds.
"We hope that this anniversary will be the foundation for unity and groundwork for resolving PUK's internal problems, particularly, and Kurdistan's generally," the statement added.
Last updated at 3:52 p.m.
"Today, on this day, on the anniversary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, we have come to the tomb of our great leader," Qadr Hama Jan, the head of PUK's Office No. 1 in Sulaimani, told reporters.
Jalal Talabani, Nawshirwan Mustafa, Adil Murad, Fuad Masum, and others established the party on June 1, 1975.
"Besides congratulating the entirety the peoples of Kurdistan, we renew commitment to the path of PUK, the path of our great Mam," Jan added from Dabashan Hill referencing Mam (Uncle) Jalal.
The party's central council and other officials started the commemoration with visiting the tomb of Talabani and are set to visit the tomb of Murad.
The emblem of the PUK reads: "Peace, democracy, human rights, and self-determination."
"The right to self-determination is a legal, humane, and constitutional right of our people," said Jan.
He also urged national unity.
"Our message is for the unity of our nation, the unity of all of the Kurdish nation and the components of Kurdistan, to all the political parties of Kurdistan for us to try to resolve issues democratically, peacefully, for us to strengthen the position of our nation not only in Iraq, but all of the area to make the wishes and dreams of our nation come true," said Jan.
Qubad Talabani said that a strong PUK means a strong Kurdistan.
"Being a PUK supporter is to believe in some principles. Being a PUK supporter, different from the supporters of other parties, is part of our daily lives," wrote Qubad Talabani in a Facebook post.
The PUK member is the KRG's deputy prime minister and the youngest son of Jalal Talabani.
"[It's] committing to peace, to the point where war and challenges face us, committing to the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, starting administrative reforms and good governance," added Qubad Talabani.
He said PUK is not limited to a city, zone, or province, and PUK's principles span the borders.
"A strong Kurdistan puts Iraq on a healthy and right track. A strong PUK makes Kurdistan stronger," Qubad added.
The party has gone through multiple crises, starting with Mustafa founding the Change Movement (Gorran) in 2009. Mustafa and Talabani both passed away in 2017. Longtime PUK member Barham Salih also broke away from the party last year to form his Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ). Murad died in May.
Kosrat Rasul is the acting leader of the party until it can hold its next congress. Despite the challenges, the PUK won 18 seats in Iraq's parliamentary election on May 12 — the second-most among parties from the Kurdistan Region. It also won the most seats in Sulaimani and Kirkuk provinces, their traditional strongholds.
The politburo thanked supporters for helping the party succeed in the election, asking for more support as Kurdistan will hold its own parliamentary election on September 30.
"At this time, we are asking that they prepare themselves with the same enthusiasm and excitement for the elections of Kurdistan's parliament, and to repeat to everyone that PUK supporters are worthy of being trusted," read their statement.
The politburo laid a wreath "of respect and loyalty at the holy tomb at the leader of the national liberation movement of our nation, Mr. Mam Jalal, and all the martyrs of the path of obtaining liberty," it added.
The largest party in the Kurdistan Region, the KDP, issued a congratulatory message.
"On the 43rd anniversary of the foundation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, we extend warm congratulations to you, the leadership members and all the members and supporters and wish you success," reads a KDP Politburo statement.
Talabani was a KDP member before founding the PUK.
The KDP stated they are remembering the day "with respect" praising the PUK for serving in the national liberation movement for Kurds.
"We hope that this anniversary will be the foundation for unity and groundwork for resolving PUK's internal problems, particularly, and Kurdistan's generally," the statement added.
Last updated at 3:52 p.m.
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