National holidays and key dates in the Kurdistan Region’s history

Press Releases ■ International press ■ Photo Gallery ■ Search

About DFR ■ Head of DFR ■ Organizational Structure ■ KRG policies

Consulates and Foreign Offices in KR ■ KRG Representations

Kurdistan Regional Government ■ About Kurdistan Region ■ History ■ Tourism ■ Weather

Visas ■ Residence ■ Passports ■ Citizenship

Investment Law ■ Investment Contacts

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 11:14:58

National holidays and key dates in the Kurdistan Region’s history

Key dates in the Kurdistan Region’s history

• 21st March: Nawroz, Kurdish New Year celebrated on the spring equinox.
• 5th March 1991: Uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime, which began in the town of Rania.
• 14th March 1903: Birthday of Mustafa Barzani, leader of Kurdistan’s national democratic movement.
• 16th March 1988: Halabja Day, commemoration of chemical weapons bombardment on the city of Halabja.
• 14th April: Commemoration of Anfal genocide campaign against the Kurds

National holidays observed by KRG Council of Ministers

Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses may also be closed.
Please note that if the national holiday falls at the weekend (Friday or Saturday), then usually the next working day is taken as the national holiday and government offices are closed.

• 1st January: New Year’s Day
• 3rd January: Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday)*
• 6th January: Army Day
• 5th March : Uprising Day (Liberation of Ranya City)
• 11th March: Uprising of Erbil City and anniversary of 11 March agreement
• 21st - 23rd March: Nawroz Kurdish New Year (Spring equinox)
• 9th April: Baghdad Liberation Day (fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime)
• 15th April: Yezidi New Year
• 1st May: International Labour Day
• 14th July: Republic Day
• 17th – 20th July: Eid-al-Fitr Feast (End of Ramadan)*
• 23rd - 26th September: Eid al-Qurban Feast*
• 14th October: Muharram (Islamic New Year) *
• 23rd October: Ashura*
• 25th December: Christmas Day

* Follows the Muslim calendar, Islamic holiday dates are estimated only.

Other important dates in 2015

These are working days at the KRG Council of Ministers, and businesses are open. Special events take place around the Region to mark these dates.

• 10th February: Kurdish Authors Union Day
• 18th February: Kurdish Students Union Day
• 1st March: Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani’s Death
• 7th March : Liberation of Slemani City
• 8th March: Women's Day
• 13th March: Liberation of Duhok City
• 16th March: Halabja Day
• 20th March: Liberation of Kirkuk City
• 1st April: Assyrian New Year
• 14th April: Commemoration of Anfal genocide against the Kurds
• 16th April: Remembrance of Chemical Attack on Balisan and Sheikh Wasan
• 17th April: FAO Day
• 25th April: Anniversary of First Cabinet of Kurdish Government (1993)
• 13th June: Suleimaniah City Fallen and Martyrs Day
• 8th August: Ceasefire Day (end of Iran-Iraq War)
• 3rd October: Iraqi Independence Day (National Day)
• 11th December: Establishment of Kurdish Women’s Union

* Follows the Muslim calendar, Islamic holiday dates are estimated only.

Council of Ministers convenes on reopening schools and universities

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 20:12:33

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday chaired a cabinet meeting on safely reopening schools and universities.

Head of DFR receives new DSRSG/RC/HC for Iraq

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:35:12

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (DFR.GOV.KRD) – Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister Safeen Dizayee on Sunday received Ms. Vojackova-Sollorano, the incoming Deputy Special Representative, in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator along with OCHA representative in Iraq.

Head of DFR receives outgoing Netherlands Consul-General in the Kurdistan Region

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:32:28

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (DFR.GOV.KRD) – Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister Safeen Dizayee on Sunday received Mr. Willem Nicolaas Cosijn, Consul General of Netherlands to say farewell at the end of his tenure in the Kurdistan Region.