“Kurdistan’s culture, deeply rooted in mutual acceptance and freedom of belief, is not a recent invention, but a historical reality.” President Masoud Barzani
In a landmark event under the banner “Towards Unity in Faith,” President Masoud Barzani hosted the first-ever National Prayer Breakfast Day in the Kurdistan Region, welcoming hundreds of religious, political, and cultural leaders from across Iraq, Kurdistan, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
At 8:00 a.m., Erbil became the heart of a powerful message of coexistence, as the event brought together more than 400 influential figures representing various faiths, governments, and international organizations. President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani all attended the main ceremony and delivered keynote speeches, alongside prominent religious leaders from Islam, Christianity, Yezidism, and other faiths.
Opening the event, President Masoud Barzani addressed the audience with a heartfelt and profound speech, saying, “Welcome to Kurdistan, the land of ethnic and religious coexistence.” He stressed that Kurdistan’s culture, deeply rooted in mutual acceptance and freedom of belief, is not a recent invention, but a historical reality that the Kurdish people have proudly preserved. “This is a culture we are proud of and committed to preserving and continuing along this path,” he affirmed.
The event was particularly poignant as President Barzani offered condolences for the recent passing of Pope Francis, calling him “a great humanitarian and peace-loving man.” His tribute set the tone for a day focused on spiritual reflection, unity, and collective prayer.
Throughout his speech, President Barzani emphasized the central role of worship in uniting different religions. “Truth is not divided—there are many paths to reach it,” he said, quoting the great Sufi mystic Rumi: “Truth is like a mountain spring; there are many ways to reach it, but the goal is the same.” Barzani called for mutual respect among all faiths, affirming that the essence of every religion is grounded in ethics, love, and coexistence.
He reminded the audience that religious tolerance has long been embedded in Kurdish identity, tracing it back to the leadership of Sheikh Abdul Salam Barzani and Sheikh Ahmed Barzani. Quoting the Holy Quran, President Barzani said: (O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.)
“This sacred verse,” he said, “is a clear directive for us to remain committed to unity and mutual acceptance.”
The National Prayer Breakfast Daywas not merely ceremonial. It stood as a living testimony to the resilience of Kurdistan’s diverse religious and ethnic fabric. Over the course of three days, a series of panels tackled topics such as peaceful coexistence, religious freedom, and the deepening of societal harmony within Kurdistan and beyond.
Religious leaders from Sunni and Shiite Islam, Christianity, Yezidism, Zoroastrianism, and Mandaeism participated equally, offering collective prayers and sharing reflections on unity. “Let this be a beginning,” President Barzani declared, “so that such gatherings continue—so that we all understand that before everything else, we are all servants of God and brothers and sisters in humanity.”
According to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kurdistan is home to 5,732 mosques, 135 churches, 315 temples, a Zoroastrian fire temple, and a Mandaean temple — all thriving under conditions of full religious freedom and respect. Communities operate hundreds of educational and cultural institutions in their native languages, preserving identities while contributing to a collective national spirit.
President Barzani also drew a powerful historical parallel, noting that in times of attack, aggressors never differentiated between religions. “Throughout history, when Kurdistan was attacked, they burned down villages, displaced people, and committed massacres against all — Muslims, Christians, and Yezidis alike,” he said.
In the battle against ISIS, Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces defended all communities equally. President Barzani reminded the audience of the sacrifices made: “Our heroic Peshmerga bravely defended everyone without discrimination… at a very high cost: nearly 12,000 martyrs and wounded.”
It was a reminder that Kurdistan’s unity was forged in shared suffering and struggle, a foundation that gives deeper meaning to the pursuit of peaceful coexistence today.
Attendees hailed the event as a historic milestone. Abdulqadir Bazargan, head of the Turkmen Reform Party, described it as “a spiritual gathering that managed to unite all religious communities in the city… aimed to cleanse the soul of conflict and promote sincere commitment to peaceful coexistence.” He praised President Barzani’s leadership for consistently defending the rights of religious and ethnic groups.
He added, “President Barzani’s presence at such a meaningful occasion reaffirms the Kurdistan Region’s firm commitment to the foundations of peaceful coexistence, forgiveness, mutual respect, and cultural harmony. President Barzani has always stood at the forefront of defending the rights of all religious and ethnic groups in Kurdistan and has consistently emphasized their inclusion in governance and the political process.”
Clara Yaqub Audisho, a Christian parliamentarian, called Kurdistan “a model for the world.” She noted, “Thanks to President Barzani’s leadership, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, Mandaeans, and others — participated in the National Prayer Breakfast Day in Erbil and praised Kurdistan’s model of harmony.”
Jahwar Ali Beg, representative of the Yezidi Mir, told The Kurdish Globe, “On this historic day in the capital of the Kurdistan Region, people of every religion, color, and nationality came together in the name of Kurdistan. What truly matters is reviving the spirit of unity and togetherness. President Barzani rekindled that spirit, and collective prayers were held to deepen coexistence and reinforce the foundations of human brotherhood. It was a life-affirming message that must be built upon with even greater strength.”
He added, “The successful coexistence in Kurdistan is the outcome of the people’s long struggle against oppression and marginalization under past regimes. Yezidis were massacred, Christians faced forced displacement, but Kurdistan became their safe haven — not merely as a temporary shelter after suffering, but as a new phase of peaceful living with dignity among all religious groups.”
The National Prayer Breakfast Day in Kurdistan now aspires to become an annual commemoration, celebrating peaceful unity among the region’s diverse communities and offering a global example of coexistence.
Through his leadership and the spirit of the gathering, President Barzani reaffirmed that Kurdistan’s strength lies not only in its political resilience but in its unwavering commitment to respect, coexistence, and the shared humanity that transcends all divisions.
The Kurdish Globe