On Friday, U.S. Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green visited Jalil Khayat Mosque in Erbil a few days ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from first light until sunset.

“As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is a time to celebrate the values of respect, understanding, and diversity that unite our nations,” the U.S. Consulate General posted on Facebook. “American and Kurdish communities share a commitment to peace and unity.”

On August 24 last year, Acting U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Baghdad Steven Fagin, accompanied by Consul General Green, visited the Jalil Khayat Mosque and other locations in the citadel of Erbil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbmSFl4OryU 

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is set to begin on February 18 or 19, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. 

During the month, which lasts 29 or 30 days, Muslims observing the fast will refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, typically for a period of 12 to 15 hours, depending on their location. During Ramadan, evening festivals fill the streets of Kurdistan and downtown Erbil comes alive with music, food, and family gatherings.