Erbil – Christian groups in Erbil strongly denounced recent remarks made by a senior leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), describing them as offensive and politically motivated.
In a joint statement, the organizations declared that they would not accept any political party exploiting Christian identity for campaign purposes. “We will not tolerate anyone defaming the name of Christians for their political party’s electoral campaigns or using us as a tool to threaten rival parties,” the statement said.
The Christian representatives emphasized that their community stands for coexistence, peace, and respect among all groups in the Kurdistan Region. They urged political leaders to focus on constructive dialogue and avoid using religion or ethnicity to gain votes.
They also called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and relevant authorities to ensure that no group faces discrimination or political manipulation during the election period.
Religious and civil society figures across Erbil echoed the call for unity, noting that Christians have long been an integral part of Kurdistan’s cultural and social fabric. They reaffirmed their support for democratic values and urged all parties to uphold respect and responsibility in their political campaigns.