With the Prime Minister's Presence, the First Syriac Symposium was Held in Erbil
On Thursday, September 5, 2024, with the presence of Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the first Syriac Symposium was held in Erbil.
In a speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that we all need to work towards further developing and strengthening the concept and spirit of coexistence, establishing peace and harmony, and reinforcing the principles of democracy, mutual acceptance, and respect for the sacred values that lead to the advancement of our homeland and protection of the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region.
The Prime Minister delivered a speech on this occasion, in which he welcomed the attendees in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, the capital of religious coexistence and diverse cultures. He also extended a special greeting to the participants coming from around the world, especially the officials, religious scholars, and representatives of all cultures.
The Prime Minister praised the efforts made by the Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts in organizing this event, and expressed his hope that the activities of this gathering would contribute to enriching the Syriac cultural movement and promoting the spirit of tolerance and coexistence in Kurdistan.
He pointed out that throughout the ages, Kurdistan has been a homeland for all religions and sects. On its land, many civilizations emerged, such as the Median, Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Syriac, Chaldean, and others, making it a model of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Prime Minister gave a notable example of peaceful coexistence in Kurdistan, saying: "I have previously mentioned that our region includes, in the same village, a mosque, a church, and a synagogue, where believers live side by side in peace, accepting their differences." He continued: "In the times when Kurdistan faced attacks, we did not witness any discrimination based on religion or ethnicity. Everyone was viewed equally. When the haters and enemies unite in their view against us, it becomes our duty to collaborate and stand together as brothers to confront challenges and obstacles."
He explained that since the March 1991 uprising, through the election of the parliament and the formation of the regional government, up to the present day, the various components of Kurdistan have played a pivotal role in the political, cultural, and social life of the region. He affirmed that the regional government is firmly committed to protecting and promoting the culture of peaceful coexistence, which is a key characteristic of the region and a source of pride for all. He emphasized that the government will remain at the forefront of defending this noble culture and will confront all forms of extremism and discrimination.
The Prime Minister added that when some internal forces and federal institutions sought to violate the rights of the Kurdistan Region’s components, they stood firmly against these attempts. As a result, they were able to reclaim some of the confiscated rights, and they hope that the next session of the Kurdistan Parliament will see further enhancement of the rights of the region’s components and a more equitable representation both legislatively and administratively.
He expressed his hope to continue working on developing and strengthening the spirit of coexistence, solidifying peace, tolerance, democratic principles, acceptance of others, and respect for noble values, in a way that contributes to the country's progress and protects the constitutional structure of the Kurdistan Region.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister pledged to pay more attention to the Syriac language and culture, as well as to the cultures, languages, and heritage of all the components and groups of Kurdistan.
