Kurdistan’s culture of peace and coexistence was on full display this Easter as Christian believers from all denominations gathered to celebrate the holiday across the region. Tens of thousands of Christians participated in prayer ceremonies at over 100 churches in Kurdistan, each expressing their cultural and religious traditions in a peaceful and respectful environment.
At the Evangelical Church of Erbil, the largest church in the region, nearly 1,000 Christian believers, including Kurds, Arabs, and foreign Christian guests, took part in a special Easter ceremony. Pastor Melaz Beison, the church’s shepherd and pastor, delivered a heartfelt speech about the significance of Christ’s resurrection. He expressed gratitude to President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for ensuring that Christians can celebrate the holiday in peace.
Pastor Beison particularly commended Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for his efforts in fostering peace for Christians in the region, supported by President Masoud Barzani’s inclusive approach to all of Kurdistan’s communities. “Christians continuously pray for the safety of Kurdistan and President Barzani,” he stated.
Since the fall of the Baathist regime in 2003 and the rise of ISIS in 2014, many Christians fleeing persecution have found refuge in the Kurdistan Region, where they live peacefully alongside other communities. The Christian Easter celebrations serve as a testament to the region’s ongoing commitment to religious tolerance and coexistence.
