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Official Statement Issued by the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region On the Occasion of Akitu – the Babylonian Chaldean New Year (7326) and the Babylonian Assyrian New Year (6776) “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) With joy tempered by pride, and with a steadfast faith deeply rooted in history and hope, the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region extends its warmest congratulations and blessings to our noble and ancient people at home and across the diaspora on the occasion of Akitu, the Babylonian Chaldean New Year (7326) and the Babylonian Assyrian New Year (6776). This occasion embodies the continuity of life, the renewal of creation, and the triumph of light over darkness since the dawn of civilization. Akitu is not merely an annual celebration; it is a living declaration of a civilizational identity deeply anchored in time, tracing its roots to Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, and Aram. It was here that our ancestors inscribed the earliest chapters of human history and laid the foundations of civilization; writing, law, mathematics, astronomy, and governance. From this blessed land of Mesopotamia (Beth Nahrain), humanity’s journey toward knowledge, construction, and faith began. As we commemorate this great occasion, we reaffirm that our national and civilizational identity is not merely a historical legacy, but a present responsibility and a moral and national duty. It calls upon us all to preserve and protect it from marginalization and erosion, and to strengthen its presence within state institutions and across political, cultural, and social life. At the Christian Alliance, our mission is grounded in the authentic values of our Christian faith; values of love, justice, peace, and human dignity. As our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) We believe that our mission transcends the confines of politics; it is a moral and human calling aimed at fostering coexistence and building a society that embraces all without discrimination, while safeguarding the rights of all its ethnic and religious components. We see in Akitu a symbol of unity and renewal, and an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our people; to remain a voice defending their rights, a guardian of their identity, and an active partner in building a just federal Iraq grounded in the full and non-selective application of the Constitution. We also reaffirm our commitment to a stable, prosperous, and secure Kurdistan Region that embraces all its citizens and stands as a genuine model of pluralism, coexistence, and integration. On this blessed occasion, we call upon our people everywhere to remain rooted in their heritage, to preserve and promote their language and culture, and to pass this great legacy on to future generations. We also call for unity of ranks and purpose, and reaffirm that the doors of the Christian Alliance remain open to all political parties, civil society institutions, and academic and national figures of our people for joint action; because our strength lies in our unity, and our survival depends on our adherence to our identity and faith. We pray that this occasion marks a new beginning filled with goodness and peace, that God may protect our people, bless our land, and grant our region and the world security, stability, and peace. Happy New Year to our people Akitu Brikha – A Blessed New Year Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region Political Council

Assyrian singer Juliana Jendo in Iraq during Akitu (the Assyrian new year), probably during the 1990s.

Bosnia-Herzegovina U21 player refuse to shake hands of the Israeli players!