logo
Kurdistan President marks Islamic New Year with message of unity and peace

Kurdistan President marks Islamic New Year with message of unity and peace

Shafaq News8 hours ago

Shafaq News - Erbil
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani extended congratulations to Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world on Thursday, marking the start of Muharram and the Islamic New Year.
In an official statement, President Barzani expressed hopes that the new year would bring 'joy, tranquility, and prosperity for all,' along with a future marked by 'success and contentment.'
He used the occasion to reiterate the Kurdistan Region's commitment to pluralism, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance among all religious and ethnic groups.
'Kurdistan will perpetually embody a nation characterized by pluralism, peaceful coexistence, acceptance, and tolerance,' the statement read. 'It is our responsibility to collaborate towards a brighter present and future for the people of Kurdistan.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iraq moves to fill top court vacancies after mass resignations
Iraq moves to fill top court vacancies after mass resignations

Shafaq News

time2 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq moves to fill top court vacancies after mass resignations

Shafaq News – Baghdad On Thursday, Iraqi political forces launched efforts to resolve the leadership crisis within the Federal Supreme Court following the recent mass resignation. A source told Shafaq News that a preliminary agreement has been reached to delay the selection of a new chief justice and the replacement of six judges over the controversial Khor Abdullah maritime ruling. 'It was agreed to relieve the chief justice from leadership duties while retaining him as a member, paving the way for nominating new candidates for the presidency and membership of the court,' the source revealed. The Federal Supreme Court plays a critical role in Iraq's democratic process, including certifying national election results. 'If the court crisis persists, it may delay elections altogether,' the source warned, noting that the new appointments are expected to come from the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and other legal authorities. Efforts are underway to hold a quorum-complete meeting of the State Administration Coalition in the coming weeks to finalize the appointments, he noted. Meanwhile, the head of parliament's Legal Committee, Rebwar Hadi Abdulrahman, clarified to Shafaq News that the process of appointing a new court president and members does not require a parliamentary vote. Under Article 3, the court comprises a president, a deputy, and seven full members selected from senior-ranking judges with no less than 15 years of experience. It also includes four reserve members, similarly qualified. Once candidates are selected, their names are forwarded to the President of the Republic, who must issue a formal decree within 15 days.

China: Military ready to fight separatism in Taiwan
China: Military ready to fight separatism in Taiwan

Shafaq News

time2 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

China: Military ready to fight separatism in Taiwan

Shafaq News – Beijing/ Taipei On Thursday, China's Ministry of Defense stressed that its military is fully prepared for combat in response to recent statements by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te asserting Taiwan's independence. 'The army will never tolerate any separatist activities aimed at Taiwan's independence,' said ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang at a press briefing. Zhang criticized Lai's government, accusing it of 'pushing Taiwan into a dangerous situation of war' and harming the livelihoods of the Taiwanese people. The remarks come after Lai delivered a series of speeches this week reaffirming what he called Taiwan's sovereign status and claiming that China has no legal or historical right to assert sovereignty over the island. Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War and has since developed into a self-governed, democratic island officially known as the Republic of China (ROC). Beijing enforces its 'One-China Principle,' asserting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and reserving the right to use force if Taiwan formally declares independence. The United States adheres to a 'One-China Policy,' formally recognizing the People's Republic of China while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan and preserving a stance of strategic ambiguity toward defending it.

Journalists, activists, and teachers arrested in Al-Sulaymaniyah over salary protests
Journalists, activists, and teachers arrested in Al-Sulaymaniyah over salary protests

Shafaq News

time2 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Journalists, activists, and teachers arrested in Al-Sulaymaniyah over salary protests

Shafaq News – Al-Sulaymaniyah Security forces in Al-Sulaymaniyah launched a wave of arrests over the past two days, detaining journalists, activists, teachers, and public employees amid calls to protest delayed salary payments. The arrests, which targeted individuals either participating in or expressing support for planned demonstrations, have sparked widespread condemnation and solidarity protests across the region. According to Shafaq News correspondent, at least ten teachers, including two women, were arrested during earlier protests demanding their financial entitlements. The detentions have been widely criticized as a violation of free expression and an affront to the dignity of the educational community. Rahman Gharib, coordinator of the Metro Center for Journalistic Rights and Advocacy, condemned the arrests in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, describing them as a blatant attack on civil liberties. 'Security forces detained several activists, politicians, and journalists who were either involved in or supportive of protests calling for the right to a decent livelihood,' Gharib said. He added, 'We strongly condemn this campaign and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. The right to protest is guaranteed by the constitution and the country's applicable laws.' Gharib also warned that the involvement of security services in suppressing civil activities constitutes a serious breach of human rights and freedom of expression. In response to the arrests, dozens of Kurdish-language teachers in Kirkuk staged a protest outside the Directorate of Education on Thursday. Demonstrators demanded the release of their detained colleagues in Al-Sulaymaniyah and called for the immediate disbursement of salaries that have been delayed for more than two months. The Journalists Syndicate in Al-Sulaymaniyah also issued a statement confirming the release of several journalists who had been detained earlier in the day while covering the unfolding events. The syndicate clarified that the journalists were freed following the conclusion of investigative procedures and that no formal charges were brought against them. The Al-Sulaymaniyah branch of the syndicate reiterated its commitment to defending press freedoms and urged security forces to respect the constitutional right to independent journalism and ensure a safe working environment for media professionals.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store