Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday participated in the annual conference on the management of endowments and church finances of the Catholic University in Erbil, and underlined that Christian citizens are an integral part of shared society and history in Kurdistan and Iraq.

“Kurdistan belongs to all of us. It unites us beneath its sky and on its rich soil, without distinction. It holds rights over all of us, and we, in turn, possess rights within it. We are obliged to safeguard and defend this land,” President Barzani said in his speech.

“For millennia, this territory has been recognized for its ability to unite diverse religious and ethnic groups, fostering mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence among all communities. All of us bear the duty and responsibility to contribute to its development, protection, and promotion.”

There is a population of around 150,000 Christians in the Kurdistan Region, making it one of the biggest Christian communities remaining in Iraq. The Kurdistan Region hosted thousands of Christians that fled from other parts of Iraq during the rise of ISIS in 2014.

Archbishop of Erbil Bashar Matti Warda, writing for Kurdistan Chronicle two years ago, underlined that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leadership has consistently shown its public solidarity with the Christian population.

“Protecting communities and defending their rights is not just a slogan; it is a deeply held principle we believe in. Since the establishment of the KRG and the Kurdistan Region Parliament, we have advocated the participation and representation of the communities in the political and administrative spheres,” President Barzani added.

“I wish to emphasize that Christians, along with all other communities, irrespective of their faith and nationality, are not simply visitors in Kurdistan; they hold legitimate rights, contribute significantly, and constitute an integral part of this land and nation.”

“Together, we shall persist in advocating for a Kurdistan characterized by tolerance and harmonious coexistence, while also engaging in the construction of a fair and diverse Iraq where the lives, dignity, and rights of all communities are safeguarded.”