ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region’s top leaders on Saturday congratulated the Kakayi (Yarsan) community on the occasion of the Qawltas feast, one of the religious minority group’s sacred holidays.

Qawltas, also known as the Three Nights Feast, is an annual festival for followers of the Yarsan faith, where members of the group gather at community centers to perform sacred rituals and traditional celebrations. The cultural event continues for five days.

In a statement on Saturday, President Masoud Barzani congratulated members of the religious minority on the occasion, highlighting the spirit of unity among Kurdistan’s different communities.

“Kurdistan is a country of unity, brotherhood, and coexistence, and I hope that the Kakayi brothers and sisters and all other religious and ethnic communities of Kurdistan will always celebrate their holidays in peace and harmony,” wrote the Kurdish leader.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also congratulated the Kakayis, wishing them happy holidays.

“The Kakayis are an important part of the Kurdish people and have a long history of struggle in the Kurdish people's liberation movement. I hope they will always live in unity and peace along with all other communities in Kurdistan,” read a statement from the Kurdish premier.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also marked the occasion, describing Kakayis as “an ancient and indigenous community” of Kurdistan, lauding their “exemplified tolerance, peacefulness, and patriotism,” and reaffirming that they remain committed to supporting minority rights.

“The Kurdistan Region will continue to be a haven of peace and coexistence, serving as an umbrella that unites all communities,” read the statement.

Kakayis have been an indigenous and integral part of the Kurdish nation throughout history. Members of the community are scattered across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, western Iran (Rojhelat), and the diaspora. There are no official data on the number of Kakayis residing in Iraq, but it is estimated to be over 100,000.