The inaugural Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast took place in Erbil from April 22 to 25, gathering senior Kurdish officials, religious leaders, and international guests. It underscored the Kurdistan Region’s reputation as a haven for religious communities and the importance of peaceful coexistence among its diverse faith groups.
Participants included religious leaders from Sunni and Shi’a Islam, Christianity, and Yezidism.
A testament to tolerance
Ambassador Sam Brownback, who formerly served as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in 2018-2021, called the event “an extraordinary show of support of all religious communities in a challenging region.
“It will bode well for the future of Kurdistan and this entire region, their diversity and their willingness to fight for the toughest of human rights, which is religious freedom,” he told Kurdistan Chronicle. “This initiative is excellent – a true model. I hope they continue it. Places like Syria right now would do well to look at a place like Kurdistan when they look for how to put their country back together.”
Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II, who traveled all the way from the Syrian capital of Damascus to attend the event, underlined in a speech that the Kurdistan Region sets a good example by keeping religion out of politics and providing a haven for fleeing Christians.
“This historic event in Erbil – the first of its kind in the region – not only will continue annually, but will hopefully inspire other governments in the region to organize similar events for the sake of humanity,” he said.
U.S. Consul General in Erbil Steven Bitner added that it was “wonderful to see the high level of attendees, with people coming from around the world to gather in the Kurdistan Region.
“It’s a testament to the unique nature of the Kurdistan Region as a place for the peaceful coexistence of so many different religious components.”
Promoting coexistence
In a keynote speech, President Masoud Barzani stated that this was the first time such a gathering has been organized in Kurdistan. “Its goal is to introduce to the world our deeply rooted culture of coexistence, acceptance of others, and freedom of opinion, religion, and sect. These are values we take pride in and are determined to continue pursuing. I hope this gathering will deepen and expand the bonds of brotherhood and coexistence in Kurdistan.
“Worshiping God unites different religions. Truth is indivisible, and there are many paths to reach it. All holy religions that accept the truth of God’s oneness seek that truth and should all be respected. The core of religion is morality.
“Let this be the beginning of future gatherings of this kind, to remind us all that above all, we are servants of God and brothers in humanity. We can live together through acceptance, love, and peace. But through injustice, neither the oppressor nor the oppressed will find peace,” he underlined.
“The teachings and guidance of all prophets call on people to extend the hand of brotherhood and to coexist.”
Platforms for dialogue
Nadine Maenza, President of the U.S.-based International Religious Freedom Secretariat, told Kurdistan Chronicle that it is wonderful “to see people from all over the world and also religious leaders from all over the region come together and pray for the Kurdistan Region, to pray for Iraq.
“It’s a way to bring people together to talk about the region and its problems. We have challenges, we can work together to improve conditions. So it’s encouraging to see,” she said, adding she was glad she was able to come.
David Muller, an advocate for religious freedom in Iraq representing the German non-profit ojcos foundation and a regular visitor to the Kurdistan Region, emphasized the importance of dialogue in societies with a history of conflict.
“Platforms for dialogue are essential in a society with such a past,” he said. “Whether it’s a prayer breakfast, an interfaith discussion, or another form of meeting, the key is that people come together. In the West, religion is often perceived as a source of conflict. Yet here, and in neighboring countries, religion is not the root cause of conflict.”
He continued with a metaphor: “I like the image of a flame. In winter, it brings warmth. But if it burns down your house, it becomes dangerous. Religion is similar. Religious people are not inherently holy or evil – they exist somewhere in between. It’s not about the religion itself, but about how people live their faith. You can misuse Islam, Christianity, or any other religion. It depends on the person.”
He stressed that spiritual gatherings that focus on peace rather than inciting conflict are deeply needed – both in Iraq and globally.
“In small conversations, I’ve spoken with various minorities,” Muller added. “They’re all struggling for recognition and awareness. It’s important that we emphasize equal rights for everyone, but we must also create spaces where recognition is felt.”
Leadership recognition
Maenza also added that it is important “to see the leadership talk about these issues, and talk about the importance of religious coexistence, of accepting one another, regardless of the religious community.”
During the event, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani explained that during the war against ISIS, the Muslim Kurdish peshmerga soldiers fought alongside their Yezidi and Christian brothers-in-arms, “each ready to face death so that mosques could sound the call for prayer, churches could ring their bells, Yezidi temples could stand proud, and people of all faiths could worship freely and without fear again.”
The peshmerga paid a heavy price, with a total of 12,000 fighters being wounded or killed in the war against ISIS.
He also mourned the recent passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. “We were proud and honored when, in 2021, His Holiness Pope Francis visited Erbil and held a mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium where thousands of people gathered to be in his presence,” he said.
During a visit to the Vatican on February 2020, Prime Minister Barzani presented Pope Francis with a picture of a peshmerga fighter restoring the cross in the town of Bashiqa after it was liberated from ISIS.
“In my meetings with His Holiness in Erbil and Rome, I came to know him for his commitment to peace and understanding. We all mourn his passing and pray that his legacy inspires unity among all peoples of the world.”
“Today, the KRG remains committed to this sacred duty. We are not only rebuilding homes and cities, but renewing our promise to protect freedom of religion, promote coexistence, and foster peace in every corner of our land,” Prime Minister Barzani underlined.
Furthermore, he noted that Ankawa – a Christian-majority suburb of Erbil that was turned into a separate district in 2021 – stands as the only growing Christian city in the Middle East, with a population that has more than doubled since 2011.
“This is a testament to our commitment to diversity and coexistence. We are also investing in the restoration and development of the holy sites of our Yezidi brothers and sisters, as well as preserving mosques, churches, and temples for all communities.”
He also underlined that Kurdistan is home to many other religions, including the Kaka’i, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Bahai’i faiths. “Our government is actively working to build more mosques, churches, and places of worship, ensuring every citizen has the right to practice their faith openly and safely.”
Furthermore, in the education field, he said his government is “reforming our school curricula to reflect the true, diverse, and inclusive nature of Kurdistan – teaching our children not only about their own traditions, but about those of their neighbors, so they grow to respect and celebrate one another.”
In addition, he said that followers of every faith and nationality are represented in the parliament, government, and public institutions. “This multiculturalism is not a challenge, but a strength that we draw upon in building a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Kurdistan.”
“Today, as we gather in Kurdistan, we pray not only for our nation, but for all nations,” Ano Jawhar Abdoka, KRG Minister of Transport and Communications and the President of the Christian Alliance, said in prayer at the event. “That the walls of hatred may fall, and the roots of peace be firmly planted. We pray to God Almighty, each according to their faith and spiritual convictions, that we may rise above fear and draw our strength from our unity.”
Wladimir van Wilgenburg is a seasoned reporter and analyst who specializes in Kurdish affairs, and holds a Master’s degree in Kurdish studies from Exeter University, UK.
