President Nechirvan Barzani led a flower-laying ceremony on Monday at the Erbil International Airport while receiving the body of Ali Qazi, the only son of the late Kurdish leader Qazi Mohammad. A number of government officials, representatives of Kurdish parties and the family of Qazi Mohammed attended the ceremony, where the President delivered the following speech:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,

Today we all participate in this mourning ceremony together to receive the body of Ali Qazi, son of the late Leader Qazi Mohammad.

The late Ali Qazi, the “Kurri Rash’, because of the history and position of his family, and because he was a memory from the late Leader Qazi, throughout his life, had to bear a heavy burden of responsibility. He was always concerned about the unity of his people. Until his last breath, as we saw it on television, he called for the unity of his nation. He never turned away from his concerns for his nation and country. Wherever he had the opportunity, he sought the unity of his people, similar to his father, the late Qazi. As his last will, the late Qazi Mohammad called for the unity of his people.

Dear attendees,

Today, we are all here together to pay tribute to the struggle of Qazi Mohammad and his family and their sacrifices for the sake of their people and their country. He led his people through a very difficult period in order to end denial and oppression, and finally he bravely went to the gallows and gave his life for that noble objective. With his sacrifices, Qazi became a living symbol of endurance in the history of the Kurdish people and became part of the ever-living memory for the coming generations.

As we stand at the farewell ceremony of the son and memory of this late leader, we remember the proud history of the Kurdistan Republic and the high values of national solidarity and the subsequent help from the Barzanis and other fighters to defend this struggle. We pay tribute to the historic crossing of the Aras River. While we look with respect and dignity at the struggles of Qazi Mohammad, the late Mustafa Barzani and their comrades, we remember all the leaders and fighters who for more than a hundred years were in the struggle. They have fought for the rights of their people and became a guiding school and foundation for the continuation of the struggle of the generations after them.

The history of the Kurdish people is the history of the efforts and struggles of a nation that has wanted to live in peace and brotherhood with other nations, away from oppression and violation of rights. A people which have always wanted to find a political solution to their problems through peace and understanding, away from war and destruction.

It wants to take back its deprived position and rights so that it can become a strong factor of peace, stability and progress which serves the best interests of the nations of this region. The region has suffered a lot and missed many opportunities through wars, instability and endless conflicts. The message of the Kurdish people is the same, and it is the message of peace, peaceful solution and the desire for brotherly coexistence with our brotherly nations in the region.

Dear participants

Great nations always appreciate the hard work of their advocates. They look upon their sacrifices with loyalty and respect and keep their memories alive and high. It is utterly important that this culture remains alive among our people. The present and future generations must always respect the struggle and hard work of those leaders who have fought for their nation.

Our gathering today to receive the body of the ‘Kurri Rash’ is a loyalty and a sacred duty that is expected from us. The body of Mr. Ali Qazi, the only son of our Leader, was brought back to Kurdistan and will be put to rest in the bosom of the motherland. This is the place; this is his right and his family’s right, as it is our duty to respect this family

After the martyrdom of Qazi, the late Ali Qazi fell for his country, for the sake of which he endured exile and hard work and finally returned to his country to embrace him. Welcome back and rest in peace, son of our Leader, and peace be upon the memory of the late Qazi, the fallen heroes of their family, and all the martyrs of Kurdistan.

Our condolences to his family, his relatives and all Kurdistanis. May he Rest In Peace. And welcome all again to this ceremony.

Thank you.