Kurdistan PM: Merry Christmas, the christians of Kurdistan!

The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government in Southern Kurdistan , N. Iraq) congratulated the christians of Kurdistan on the birthday of christ: Christmas.

The prime minister Necirvan Barzani (grandson of the Kurdish national hero Mustafa Barzani) also wished a happy new year and was "wishing for gaining more achivments for the Kurdish people in the new year!)

Massoud Barzani, the president of Kurdistan (son to Mustafa Barzani and uncle to ) said on the 8th december:

Pope Benedict XVI met the President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, who was
accompanied by his government's Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani. 2005.

"We welcome any Christian brothers who choose to come and live in Kurdistan, whether temporarily or more permanently. This is their country and we will not prevent any of them from taking refuge.

You are the owners of this land, you are the protectors of its ancient history, therefore no one can prevent you from living here," the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party said, inviting Christians to "send letters to your relatives and your brothers in Baghdad, Basra or any other Iraqi city, or even abroad, to come and reside in Kurdistan, whether definitively or until the security conditions in the country improve.

I can assure you that we will not allow anyone to oppress you, you are free to accept this fraternal co-inhabitance and to help in the building of your country."

There are several Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean villages in south Kurdistan such as Ainkawa (Hewler), Duhok and in the rest of the Bahdinan region.

Saint Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church in Avzrog, Dahuk Governorate, Iraq.