Kurdish leaders and politicians extend congratulations for Eid al-Fitr

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Leaders in the Kurdistan Region welcomed the onset of Eid al-Fitr, hoping for joyful and peaceful holidays and extending their messages to Peshmerga and martyrs.

"I hope you will spend a lovely Eid, an Eid filled with tranquility and joy for everyone. I wish success, stability and joy for Kurdistan, hoping for a year of progress and joy for the Kurdistan Region," said Nechirvan Barzani, the KRG prime minister, in a video 

He especially congratulated Kurdistan's Peshmerga and the martyrs.

Eid al-Fitr is the climax of Ramadan. After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr by visiting each other and exchanging sweets and candies.

“With the onset of the Eid al-Fitr, I extend the warmest congratulations to the Muslims in the world generally and Kurdistan especially, hoping for this Eid to become an Eid of happiness, blessings and delight for everyone,” wrote KRG deputy PM Qubad Talabani on Facebook.

“Let us, in this Eid, think of the beloved ones who are unfortunately no longer with us. Our close ones, martyrs, and let us also think of those who need a visit or attention to check upon them,” said Qubad Talabani.

“I hope this Eid will be an incentive for deepening coexistence and agreements between the loyal and patriotic forces and parties of Kurdistan so that, through a united national project, we obtain the natural and constitutional rights of our nation and to help the real wish of the nation of Kurdistan for an honorable independent life triumph,” said Masrour Barzani in a statement published on Thursday, also congratulating Peshmerga and martyrs especially.

With the onset of Eid al-Fitr, I extend the warmest congratulations to the Muslims of Kurdistan, especially, and Iraq and the world generally," Masoud Barzani, the head of the KDP and the former president of the Kurdistan Region, said in a tweet on Thursday.

Kurdistan's Council of Ministers emphasized stability, peace, and prosperity for a nation which is forming a new government for the first time post-ISIS.

"We hope this Eid will lead to joy and happiness for everyone and will encourage everyone to work seriously towards tranquility and united in order to establish stability, peace and prosperity for our nation," read their statement.

They also noted the sacrifices of the Peshmerga and their relatives. 

"On the occasion of the holy Eid al-Fitr, we extend the warmest congratulations to all of Kurdistan's, Iraq's and world's Muslims. Our special congratulations are for the honorable families of the martyrs and heroic Peshmerga.

The Kurdistan Region, while diverse, is predominately Sunni Muslim.

While it has become Eid al-Fitr for Sunnis, Shiites in Iraq will wait one more day.


Last updated at 9:41 a.m.