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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Tuesday extended their congratulations to the Yazidi community on the occasion of their New Year, Charshama Sare Sale, emphasizing the need to safeguard the Yazidis' rights, traditions and future.
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani issued a statement extending his 'warm congratulations to all Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan and around the world, wishing them happiness and peace.'
The renowned Kurdish figure added, 'I hope for an end to the pain, displacement, and hardships that have been imposed upon them [Yazidis] by terrorists and enemies of our people, and for the Yazidi brothers and sisters to return freely to their homes and places of origin.'
The KDP leader also urged all parties to work together to ensure the Yazidis can 'decide their own fate, protect their rights, culture, and traditions, and begin to heal from the trauma they've endured.'
For his part, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also marked the occasion, writing on X, 'I congratulate all Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan and the world on the Yazidi New Year. I hope you have a holiday filled with joy and happiness.'
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) also issued a statement, extending 'warmest congratulations to the Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world' and 'wishing them a celebration full of joy and happiness.'
The PUK highlighted the importance of 'accelerating the steps to restore a dignified life for Yazidis,' stressing that it is the 'duty and responsibility of all political parties, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government [of Iraq] in order to guarantee their permanent stability and ensure they never face the danger of attacks again.'
The Yazidi New Year, Charshama Sare Sale, is celebrated on the first Wednesday of April according to the Julian and Seleucid calendars. The most important rituals take place at Lalish Temple in the mountains of Duhok, north of the Kurdistan Region, where Yazidis light candles and gather in prayer.
In 2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) launched an assault on Shingal, abducting 6,417 Yazidi women and children, many of whom were subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor.
As of now, 2,590 Yazidis remain missing, according to the Office of Rescuing Abducted Yazidis, which is affiliated with the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
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