The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil marked the holiday season with a message of goodwill, emphasizing the shared principles of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence between the United States and the Kurdistan Region.

In a video address posted on social media platform X on Wednesday, U.S. Consul General Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green delivered holiday wishes from the newly opened diplomatic mission.

“From the new U.S. Consulate General here in Erbil, we send our warmest holiday wishes to you and your loved ones,” Green stated.

She underscored the foundational American values of religious liberty and the harmonious coexistence of different faiths. “These are values we also see reflected here in the Kurdistan Region and in our growing partnership,” Green added, concluding with wishes for “a joyful holiday season and a healthy and hopeful new year.”

The message resonates in a region celebrated for its diversity. The Kurdistan Region is home to Muslim, Christian, Yezidi, Kakayi, and other communities that have lived side-by-side for generations. It has also provided a sanctuary for religious minorities displaced by conflicts elsewhere in Iraq and the Middle East.