Masrour Barzani to the representative of Pope: Christian presence in Kurdistan is very important to us

 

The Chancellor of Kurdistan Region Security Council, Masrour Barzani, met the representative of his Holiness the Pope, Cardinal Fernando. Mr Barzani stated that the presence of the Christian people is very important for the Kurdistan Region.

Mr Barzani was pleased for Cardinal Fernando’s visit, and referred back to President Massoud Barzani’s visit, to Rome.

Mr Barzani discussed the living situation of the displaced people, declaring this situation is temporary for them. Also stating that there are 1.2 million refugees in the region, in addition to 250,000 Syrian refugees, and more than 100,000 Christian refugees.

From another aspect of modernity, Mr Barzani cited the principles of Sheikh Abdel Salam Barzani for tolerance and coexistence among the various components in the Kurdistan Region. Mr Barzani stated “we will continue on these principles, the presence of Christians in Kurdistan is very important for us, and do not want them to drift away from their homeland, while ethnic cleansing that occurred in Sinjar caused us pain.”

Cardinal Fernando spoke regarding his visit to a camp for the internally displaced people, and highly lauded the heroic defence of the Peshmerga. Masrour Barzani, thanked Cardinal Fernando for his visit, and also mentioned that Kurdistan is a safe environment for the displaced refugees, including the Christians.