In a video message today Monday, President Nechirvan Barzani offered his congratulations on the occasion of the Kurdish New Year, Nawroz. The following is a readout of his message:

On the occasion of Nawroz and the Kurdish New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to all the people of Kurdistan and the Kurdish people around the world. I offer my best wishes to the families of our fallen heroes and their loved ones.

I wish the brave Peshmergas, the security forces, the police and the counter terrorism groups and all the forces who protect the peace and security of Kurdistan a happy Nawroz.

I extend my congratulations to all our workers and civil servants who have participated and continue to participate in the construction, development and growth of Kurdistan.

Nawroz is a Kurdish national holiday. It is a celebration of victory, self-confidence, pride and glory. It is a symbol of the revival of the Kurdish spirit, the love of life and humanity. Nawroz is in the heart and mind of every Kurd; the renewal of passion for liberation, freedom, prosperity, and the brightness of hope for a better future.

The fire of Newroz, as always, rekindles our faith and strength; a reminder that ‘the Kurds have not fallen and will never fall,’ because every early spring, with the first ‘flame of Nawroz,’ the spirit of resistance, freedom and prosperity is revived in every Kurd.

Our freedoms and successes are the manifestation of the Nawroz spirit of the Kurdish nation and the people of Kurdistan, which were achieved through sacrifices and decades of struggle and resistance of the Kurdish and Kurdistani people.

We all remember the injustice and cruelty of the past. We all remember the arrests, killings, deportations, burning, destruction, extermination, chemical attacks, Anfal and genocide, and we will never forget them. But all these hardships could not break the will of the Kurds and the people of Kurdistan for life, freedom and prosperity. Because with the first fire of every Nawroz, the Kurds will rise again and start more passionately.

In Nawroz, the love of Kurds and the people of Kurdistan for freedom, for their land and country, for their nation, is reborn. This is the secret of the survival and revival of this living nation, which the most powerful oppressors and weapons of the time have not defeated and will never defeat.

My fellow Kurds and Kurdistanis,

Let’s make Nawroz and the spring of renewal, a renewal of respect, forgiveness, and reconciliation with ourselves, with our families, and our friends.

On the political level, let us make Nawroz a new opportunity for cooperation and acceptance. So that we can overcome the problems and conflicts in the Kurdistan Region, and resolve the issues together with Baghdad with one voice and one position, through dialogue and on the basis of the constitution.

On this occasion, I call on all Iraqi parties to work together for an Iraq that is the country of all of us, in a national Iraqi spirit that transcends partisanship and sectarian divisions; an Iraq where peace, stability, sovereignty, life, dignity, present and future of its generations are protected. Together, we can make Iraq a better country for all.

We are moving in the right direction with the Iraqi Federal Government. The steps are hopeful and promising. Resolving the issues, building trust and confidence between the parties and communities will make Iraq a strong, secure and respected country. In the light of the constitution, the Kurdistan Region is ready to provide all assistance for the success of the government’s agenda, the political process and the principles of democracy in Iraq.

My fellow Kurdistanis

The enthusiasm for Nawroz is a manifestation of the living spirit of life-loving and peaceful Kurds and Kurdistanis. The colorful carnival we celebrate in the beautiful nature of Kurdistan stems from a deep desire for life and peace, for happiness and comfort, and for reconciliation. It is an important and treasured part of the values, soul and culture of our nation.

We in the Kurdistan Region extend a hand of brotherhood, coexistence, mutual acceptance and tolerance to all peoples, nations and communities in Iraq, neighboring countries, the region and the world. We assure everyone that as always, we will be a factor of peace and stability and protector of our unity and common interests.

I congratulate the peoples and nations who celebrate Nawroz, and express appreciation for the support of friendly countries, the international community, diplomats and their organizations in the Kurdistan Region. I hope everyone has a happy Nawroz.

I ask my fellow citizens to take precautions while traveling, to keep the environment clean, to preserve the beautiful nature of Kurdistan, and to follow traffic rules.

Happy Newroz to all of you.
May it be a year of success for everyone.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region