ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi and Kurdish leaders on Sunday wished Christians around the world a happy Easter, calling for coexistence and peace.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani congratulated the Christian community on the occasion of Easter, reaffirming “commitment to Kurdistan’s historic culture of coexistence and to peace and the protection of all our communities.”

The Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil and Duhok, stands as a significant hub for the Christian community in Iraq, following the mass migration of Christians from other Iraqi cities.

A report from Iraq’s Human Rights Commission in March 2021 estimated about 250,000 Christians remain in Iraq, compared with 1.5 million before 2003. It also revealed that 1,315 Christians were killed, 130,000 displaced, and 161 kidnapped between 2003 and 2017, including during ISIS’s occupation of Mosul.

Christianity is one of Iraq’s oldest religions, introduced in the 1st century by Saint Thomas and his followers. It flourished in cities like Hira and Erbil, where the Church of the East became a hub for spreading Christianity to Persia, India, and China.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also congratulated Christians on the occasion, saying “the Kurdistan Region, as always, remains a beacon of coexistence, tolerance, and acceptance of all religious and national components.”

“Our Christian fellow citizens are an essential and integral part of the Kurdistan community and have a history filled with struggle and partnership alongside the people of Kurdistan,” he added.

President Masoud Barzani extended his congratulations a day earlier, expressing hope that the occasion will deepen coexistence and peace.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani joined the choir and emphasized his support “for preserving the cultural and civilizational diversity that distinguishes our beloved country.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid said the holiday “embodies noble human values, foremost among them love, tolerance, and brotherhood. These are principles we are all keen to uphold and strengthen in our society.”

Easter, or resurrection day, is one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.