Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - The Council of Ministers, in a statement, congratulates the Assyrian, Syriac and Chaldean people in Kurdistan and across the world, as they celebrate the Akitu festival and Babylonian-Assyrian New Year.

The Council of Ministers reiterated that coexistence and tolerance will continue to be safeguarded in Kurdistan. Furthermore, the Kurdistan Region will remain a welcoming and peaceful region for all ethnicities and faiths alike.

Following is the text of the statement:

We congratulate the Assyrian, Syriac, and Chaldean people in Kurdistan and abroad for the Akitu festival and Babylonian-Assyrian New Year. We wish them a peaceful and prosper New Year.

At a time when a large number of Christian and other ethnic and religious groups are displaced due to the war on terror, the Kurdistan Region continues to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all internally displaced persons. We will continue to support them, share their anguish and stand in solidarity with them.  It is our hope to see the displaced peope celebrate their future festivities in their liberated homes, with everyone's rights protected and secured.

On this occasion, we emphasize that the culture of coexistence and tolerance, which are embedded in the culture of the Kurdish people, will always be preserved and protected. Furthermore, in no way will terror actions harm or erode the culture of the Kurdish people.

We reassure the Assyrians, Syriac, Chaldeans and other ethnic and religious groups in Kurdistan that we will always protect and preserve our inclusive and tolerant culture. Kurdistan will remain a welcoming and safe haven to all.
Once again, we congratulate the Assyrian, Syriac, and Chaldean people for the Akitu festival and Babylonian-Assyrian New Year and wish them a happy and prosperous year.