ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday praised Kurdistan's rich history of religious and cultural coexistence during the First Athra Syriac Symposium in Erbil.

Addressing the gathering, PM Barzani highlighted Kurdistan’s role as a historical home to diverse civilizations and communities, including the Madyans, Sumerians, Akkadians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syrians.

In his speech, the prime minister expressed appreciation for the Syriac Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Culture and Arts for organizing the symposium, emphasizing the importance of discussions and research to further develop Syriac culture.

"I hope the discussions, research, and exchanges presented during this conference will strengthen the spirit of peaceful coexistence of different religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan," he said.

Prime Minister Barzani also reiterated Kurdistan's long-standing tradition of religious harmony, noting that mosques, churches, and synagogues have historically stood side by side in the Region.

"When Kurdistan was attacked, no distinction was made between different religions and cultures, and all were treated equally," he reminded. "When the enemies look at us as one, we must be united as brothers to face all challenges and all difficulties."

Since the 1991 uprising and the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the region's diverse communities have played a vital role in its political, cultural, and social spheres, according to PM Barzani.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting this heritage and confronting extremist ideologies. "We are proud to always defend and protect this beautiful culture and confront all kinds of extremist and discriminatory thought," PM Barzani added.

The Kurdish leader further addressed recent disputes with Baghdad over the rights of Kurdistan’s communities, noting that efforts to protect these rights had yielded results. "We confronted these attempts and conspiracies with all our might, and finally, some of the deprived rights were returned," he remarked, emphasizing the need to continue working towards peace, unity, and respect for democratic values.

Concluding his speech, PM Barzani pledged continued support for the Syriac language and culture, alongside those of other communities in Kurdistan, stating, "We promise to pay attention to the Syriac language and culture and the culture of all different communities in Kurdistan."

The symposium gathered religious leaders, intellectuals, and cultural figures from various communities to discuss the future of Syriac heritage and its role in promoting unity within the Region.