Latest news with #KurdistanNationalPrayerBreakfast
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - In the Middle East, Kurdistan offers a hopeful model of religious freedom
A rare moment of hope and unity unfolded this April in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region. It was the first Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast where Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and members of other faith traditions from around the world gathered around a basic premise of respect, openness and the idea that religious freedom is worth protecting. In the heart of a region where religious persecution often dominates headlines, this event marked something exceptional, even spectacular. It was the most encouraging event we have been to in the region. The Kurdish regional government is setting a rare example in the Middle East. While many of its neighbors double down on sectarianism or suppress dissenting beliefs, the Kurdish government has taken a different route — embracing different faith communities and making religious freedom a strategic priority. Importantly, the Prayer Breakfast wasn't a public relations stunt. Instead, it reflects a deep cultural value stretching back many years. The Kurds, an overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim group, have long offered refuge to religious minorities. That history gained global attention during the rise of the Islamic State. As ISIS targeted Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims for extermination, Kurdistan opened its borders and its communities. That protection wasn't passive. It was intentional, principled, and costly. Kurdish Peshmerga forces stood between ISIS and vulnerable communities, defending not only territory but also a tradition of respect for other faiths. The Kurds welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced people, sharing their limited resources to make room for those whose lives were at risk simply because of how they prayed. Yazidis escaping the horror of Sinjar, Christians fleeing the Nineveh Plains, and Shi'a Muslims caught in the crossfire all found Kurdistan to be a rare sanctuary in the storm. Today, many of those same survivors are choosing to remain in Kurdistan and others continue to join them every day. In a region marked by fear and instability, they see something precious: relative security, respect and a place to stay and make their home. The Kurdish government has made a deliberate choice to preserve this environment. It deserves credit — and continued support — for doing so. The Kurds stand out as an anomaly in a neighborhood rife with religious intolerance. The federal Iraqi government in Baghdad, while more stable than it was a decade ago, consistently fails to offer meaningful support to religious minority communities or provide them with the civil rights and freedoms necessary for their flourishing. The increasingly repressive government in Turkey has continued to crack down on disfavored religious groups, including Christians and Hizmets. Religious minority communities in Syria, long victims of vicious persecution, are waiting to see what their future holds under a new administration. In Iran, a terrorist regime is continuing its fight to eliminate free religious expression everywhere it can be found. Highlighting the concerning situation in the region, Iraq, Turkey and Syria have each been recommended for inclusion on the Special Watchlist by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iran has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern every year since 1999. Religious intolerance has not been eradicated from the region and it would be a mistake to assume Kurdistan is immune. The Kurdish regional government must remain vigilant against the threats of religious extremism within its own borders. Dangerous ideologies still lurk. It is essential that Kurdish authorities take firm action to prevent radicalization, particularly among youth. Education must teach respect for religious diversity, and radical clerics promoting hate must be held accountable. As Kurdistan continues to grow and develop, the rights of all religious communities must be safeguarded not only in principle, but in practice. That means ensuring property rights are honored — particularly for Christians and Yazidis returning to ancestral homes. It means instructing security forces to treat all citizens with respect at military checkpoints, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Reports of harassment or intimidation must be swiftly addressed. The Kurdish regional government should also formally recognize and support the evangelical Christian community. This group, while relative newcomers in an ancient region, faces pressure from every direction. The KRG should ensure this group has the same rights and representation as longer-established religious communities. Religious freedom is a universal human right, embedded in our common dignity. For the U.S. and its allies, this is a moment to recognize an ally which consistently works to protect freedom. As global religious persecution rises, there are precious few places where religious freedom is improving. Kurdistan is one. That progress should be reinforced — diplomatically, financially and politically. Washington should increase its engagement with the Kurdish regional government on religious freedom, supporting civil society initiatives, legal reforms and education programs that promote respect for various religions. Western governments should encourage continued Kurdish autonomy and protect the region from destabilizing interference from Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus and Ankara. It's easy to issue statements about the importance of religious freedom. It's harder to build a society where it actually exists. Kurdistan is trying. In one of the world's toughest regions, that effort deserves both praise and reinforcement. The alternative — letting this model of tolerance falter — would be a strategic and moral failure. Samuel Brownback served as ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom from 2018 to 2021 and co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit in 2022. Manus Churchill is International Religious Freedom Summit deputy director. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
In the Middle East, Kurdistan offers a hopeful model of religious freedom
A rare moment of hope and unity unfolded this April in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region. It was the first Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast where Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and members of other faith traditions from around the world gathered around a basic premise of respect, openness and the idea that religious freedom is worth protecting. In the heart of a region where religious persecution often dominates headlines, this event marked something exceptional, even spectacular. It was the most encouraging event we have been to in the region. The Kurdish regional government is setting a rare example in the Middle East. While many of its neighbors double down on sectarianism or suppress dissenting beliefs, the Kurdish government has taken a different route — embracing different faith communities and making religious freedom a strategic priority. Importantly, the Prayer Breakfast wasn't a public relations stunt. Instead, it reflects a deep cultural value stretching back many years. The Kurds, an overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim group, have long offered refuge to religious minorities. That history gained global attention during the rise of the Islamic State. As ISIS targeted Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims for extermination, Kurdistan opened its borders and its communities. That protection wasn't passive. It was intentional, principled, and costly. Kurdish Peshmerga forces stood between ISIS and vulnerable communities, defending not only territory but also a tradition of respect for other faiths. The Kurds welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced people, sharing their limited resources to make room for those whose lives were at risk simply because of how they prayed. Yazidis escaping the horror of Sinjar, Christians fleeing the Nineveh Plains, and Shi'a Muslims caught in the crossfire all found Kurdistan to be a rare sanctuary in the storm. Today, many of those same survivors are choosing to remain in Kurdistan and others continue to join them every day. In a region marked by fear and instability, they see something precious: relative security, respect and a place to stay and make their home. The Kurdish government has made a deliberate choice to preserve this environment. It deserves credit — and continued support — for doing so. The Kurds stand out as an anomaly in a neighborhood rife with religious intolerance. The federal Iraqi government in Baghdad, while more stable than it was a decade ago, consistently fails to offer meaningful support to religious minority communities or provide them with the civil rights and freedoms necessary for their flourishing. The increasingly repressive government in Turkey has continued to crack down on disfavored religious groups, including Christians and Hizmets. Religious minority communities in Syria, long victims of vicious persecution, are waiting to see what their future holds under a new administration. In Iran, a terrorist regime is continuing its fight to eliminate free religious expression everywhere it can be found. Highlighting the concerning situation in the region, Iraq, Turkey and Syria have each been recommended for inclusion on the Special Watchlist by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iran has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern every year since 1999. Religious intolerance has not been eradicated from the region and it would be a mistake to assume Kurdistan is immune. The Kurdish regional government must remain vigilant against the threats of religious extremism within its own borders. Dangerous ideologies still lurk. It is essential that Kurdish authorities take firm action to prevent radicalization, particularly among youth. Education must teach respect for religious diversity, and radical clerics promoting hate must be held accountable. As Kurdistan continues to grow and develop, the rights of all religious communities must be safeguarded not only in principle, but in practice. That means ensuring property rights are honored — particularly for Christians and Yazidis returning to ancestral homes. It means instructing security forces to treat all citizens with respect at military checkpoints, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Reports of harassment or intimidation must be swiftly addressed. The Kurdish regional government should also formally recognize and support the evangelical Christian community. This group, while relative newcomers in an ancient region, faces pressure from every direction. The KRG should ensure this group has the same rights and representation as longer-established religious communities. Religious freedom is a universal human right, embedded in our common dignity. For the U.S. and its allies, this is a moment to recognize an ally which consistently works to protect freedom. As global religious persecution rises, there are precious few places where religious freedom is improving. Kurdistan is one. That progress should be reinforced — diplomatically, financially and politically. Washington should increase its engagement with the Kurdish regional government on religious freedom, supporting civil society initiatives, legal reforms and education programs that promote respect for various religions. Western governments should encourage continued Kurdish autonomy and protect the region from destabilizing interference from Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus and Ankara. It's easy to issue statements about the importance of religious freedom. It's harder to build a society where it actually exists. Kurdistan is trying. In one of the world's toughest regions, that effort deserves both praise and reinforcement. The alternative — letting this model of tolerance falter — would be a strategic and moral failure. Samuel Brownback served as ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom from 2018 to 2021 and co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit in 2022. Manus Churchill is International Religious Freedom Summit deputy director.
Rudaw Net
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani pays respects at Pope Francis funeral
Also in Kurdistan President Barzani, Pope Francis shared 'very strong' relationship: KRG rep President Barzani to represent Iraq at Pope Francis' funeral Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast attendees visit Lalish President Barzani receives Italian ambassador to Iraq A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said he was 'deeply honored' to pay his respects to the late Pope Francis, representing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region at the papal funeral in Rome on Saturday. 'I am deeply honored to pay my respects to Pope Francis today in Vatican City, on behalf of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,' Barzani said on X. 'His message of peace, compassion, and unity transcends borders and faiths, a legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come,' he added. Pope Francis died at his residence on Monday after weeks of illness. The 88-year-old was recently discharged from hospital where he had received treatment for pneumonia. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, the day before he died. He wished a Happy Easter to thousands of worshippers in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The cause of his death was a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. A key moment in Pope Francis' papacy was his historic trip to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in March 2021. He was the first pope to visit the country. His trip included meeting Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, seeing the birthplace of Abraham in Ur in southern Iraq and the war-torn northern city of Mosul, and celebrating mass for 10,000 people in Erbil. President Barzani expressed his condolences in a post on X on Monday, saying he was 'deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis - a man of great humility, compassion, and moral courage.' 'His Holiness's historic and courageous visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in 2021 was a profound act of faith and solidarity, remembered with deep respect and gratitude by all our people,' he added. 'I will always cherish our meetings and his prayers for peace in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world.' World leaders including United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also attended the funeral.
Rudaw Net
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, Pope Francis shared ‘very strong' relationship: KRG rep
Also in Kurdistan President Barzani to represent Iraq at Pope Francis' funeral Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast attendees visit Lalish President Barzani receives Italian ambassador to Iraq Yazidis perform Karajal pilgrimage in Duhok province A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, who is at the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of Iraq, shared a 'very strong' relationship with the late pontiff, the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) representative to Italy said on Friday. 'The pope's last prayer in the Middle East was in the Kurdistan Region, and the relationship between the pope and the president of the Kurdistan Region was also very strong,' Rezan Hama Salih, the KRG's representative to Italy, told Rudaw's Znar Shino. Salih confirmed that Barzani will represent Iraq at the ceremony. 'Several other countries also requested [to attend], but the Vatican itself identified the people and countries that are very close.' 'While the Kurdistan Region does not have a Christian majority, coexistence in the Kurdistan Region has made it very special,' he added. Pope Francis died at his residence on Monday after weeks of illness. The 88-year-old had been admitted to hospital in Rome on February 14 and was diagnosed with pneumonia. After 38 days, he was discharged from the hospital and appeared in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to wish a Happy Easter to thousands of worshippers. The cause of his death was identified by doctors as a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The pope made a historic trip to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in March 2021, visiting the birthplace of Abraham in Ur in southern Iraq and the war-torn northern city of Mosul, and celebrating mass for 10,000 people in Erbil. President Barzani expressed his condolences in a post on X on Monday, saying he was 'deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis - a man of great humility, compassion, and moral courage.' 'His Holiness's historic and courageous visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in 2021 was a profound act of faith and solidarity, remembered with deep respect and gratitude by all our people,' he added. 'I will always cherish our meetings and his prayers for peace in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world.' World leaders including United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also attend the funeral.
Rudaw Net
25-04-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani to represent Iraq at Pope Francis' funeral
Also in Kurdistan Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast attendees visit Lalish President Barzani receives Italian ambassador to Iraq Yazidis perform Karajal pilgrimage in Duhok province Major obstacles cleared for Kurdish oil exports, only technical issues remain: SOMO A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani will attend the funeral for Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, representing Iraq, a statement from the presidency said on Friday. 'President Nechirvan Barzani, who is also representing Iraq, will participate tomorrow, Saturday, at the Vatican in the official farewell ceremony for Pope Francis, which will be attended by representatives from all over the world,' the statement said. Pope Francis died at his residence on Monday after receiving treatment for weeks for an infection that led to double pneumonia. The pope made a historic trip to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in March 2021, visiting the birthplace of Abraham in Ur in southern Iraq and the war-torn northern city of Mosul, and celebrating mass for 10,000 people in Erbil. President Barzani expressed his condolences in a post on X on Monday, saying he was 'deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis - a man of great humility, compassion, and moral courage.' 'His Holiness's historic and courageous visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in 2021 was a profound act of faith and solidarity, remembered with deep respect and gratitude by all our people,' he added. 'I will always cherish our meetings and his prayers for peace in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world.' The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to hospital in Rome on February 14 and was diagnosed with pneumonia. After 38 days, he was discharged from the hospital and appeared in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to wish a Happy Easter to thousands of worshippers. The cause of his death was identified by doctors as a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
