“We are expressing our sincere gratitude to the beloved people of Kurdistan and political parties of Kurdistan and Iraq, consuls, countries representatives, religious figures and representatives of ethnic and religious groups, civic society organizations, political, social, academics, athletes, commanders and the brave Peshmerga forces, Asayesh, police, political and administrative officials, and all the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and all the people across the four parts and abroad…” stated Barzani.
Dilovan Idris Barzani, 51, died of a heart attack in Erbil on Monday.
Masoud Barzani thanked those who “shared in their sympathy and sadness, alleviating our sorrows.”
In his message, Barzani also thanked world leaders and other officials who offered their condolences and shared in their sadness.
Masoud Barzani is the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and former president of the Kurdistan Region.
Barzani also thanked the families of the martyrs and Anfal victims who also showed sadness for the loss of his relative.
Dilovan and Nechirvan Barzani were twins born on September 21, 1966, in Barzan, the ancestral home of the Barzani tribe. There he was also buried. Dilovan did not have a governmental post, but was a social figure, taking part in events and often representing Nechirvan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his condolences to PM Barzani over the passing of his brother Dilovan in a telephone call on Wednesday. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called the Kurdish premier on Thursday, and Mevlut Cavusoglu, the country’s foreign minister, shared his condolences with the Kurdistan Region PM on Tuesday.
Iranian Foreign Minister called Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday to extend his condolences and to wish that his brother rests in peace.
Leaders from Baghdad attended the funeral in Erbil including Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Vice President Ayad Allawi, and other representatives.
Two representatives of Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, representatives of populist Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, and former vice president Adil Abdulmahdi also came to Erbil.
"There are representatives from a number of sides. This means that when there is a shared grief, all sides come together. These humane relations are very valuable. Even if you look at the political aspect, it has a certain meaning,” Masum said.
Social events like funerals ease political rivalries bringing together opposing political leaders in Kurdistan.
“As you know, such events bring together all the sides. And we hope whole heartedly they will come to the discussion table to free our nation from the situation it has recently faced,” Sirwan Barzani, a cousin of the late Dilovan Barzani, told Rudaw on Tuesday.
“If all the sides, even for once, become one, I believe the problems could be resolved,” he added.
