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 2012
Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses may also close.
Please note that of the national holiday falls at the weekend (Friday or Saturday), then the next working day is taken as the national holiday and government offices are closed.
1st January: New Year’s Day
6th January: Army Day
4th 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
19th – 21st August: Eid-al-Fitr Feast (End of Ramadan. Estimated; according to lunar calendar) *
26th – 29th October: Eid al-Qurban Feast *
15th November: Muharram (Islamic New Year) *
24th November: Ashura *
31st December: Iraq Day (tentative; new public holiday announced by Iraqi Prime Minister)
Other important dates in 2012
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: Anniversary of First Cabinet of Kurdish Government (1993)
13th June: Suleimaniah City Fallen and Martyrs Day
8th August: Ceasefire Day (end of Iran-Iraq War)
20th July: 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, Islamic holiday dates are estimated only.