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.

National holidays observed by KRG Council of Ministers in 2010

Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses may also close.

1st January: New Year’s Day

6th January: Army Day

26th Feb: Mouloud (Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday) *

5th March : Uprising Day (Liberation of Ranya City)

11th March: Liberation of Erbil City

14th March: Mustafa Barzani’s Birthday

21st - 23rd March: Nawroz Kurdish New Year (Spring equinox)

9th April: Baghdad Liberation Day (fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime)

1st May: Labour Day

14th July: Republic Day

11th September: Eid-al-Fitir Feast
(End of Ramadan. Estimated; according to lunar calendar) *

17th November: Eid al-Qurban Feast *

7th December: Muharram (Islamic New Year) *

16th December: Ashura *

Other important dates in 2010

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.

8th February: Ramadan Revolution Day

10th February: Kurdish Authors Union Day

18th February: Kurdish Students Union Day

1st March: Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani’s Death

7th March : Liberation of Suleimaniah 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: First Cabinet of Kurdish Government (1993)

13th June: Suleimaniah City Fallen and Martyrs Day

8th August: Ceasefire Day (end of Iran-Iraq War)

11th August: Start of Ramadan, month of fasting (estimated; according to lunar calendar) *

16th August: Establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Day

3rd October: Iraqi Independence Day (National Day)

11th December: Establishment of Kurdish Women’s Union

* Follows the Muslim calendar.