SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Kurdistan Region celebrated Kurdistan Flag Day on Saturday with ceremonies and events to celebrate Kurdish culture and sacrifices made by Kurds throughout history.
The Kurdistan Flag Day was designated by the Kurdistan Parliament in 2009. It chose December 17 because of its association with the Mahabad Republic, a self-governing Kurdish state that existed in the 1940s.
dedicated ceremonies were held to mark the day at schools of the Kurdistan Region where students wore Kurdish national dress and sang the national anthem of “Ay Raqib”.
The Kurdish flag was first raised on official government buildings in 1946 when Kurdish leader Qazi Muhammad declared the creation of the Mahabad Republic in western Iran.
Despite the short life of the Republic, the flag has become a symbol of Kurdish resistance and nationalism against several oppressors.
