National holidays and key dates in the Kurdistan Region’s history

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.
14th April: Commemoration of Anfal genocide campaign against the Kurds
National holidays observed by KRG Council of Ministers in 2015
Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses may also be closed.
Please note that if the national holiday falls at the weekend (Friday or Saturday), then usually the next working day is taken as the national holiday and government offices are closed.
1st January: New Year’s Day
3rd January: Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday)*
6th January: Army Day
5th March : Uprising Day (Liberation of Ranya City)
11th March: Uprising of Erbil City and anniversary of 11 March agreement
21st - 23rd March: Nawroz Kurdish New Year (Spring equinox)
9th April: Baghdad Liberation Day (fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime)
15th April: Yezidi New Year
1st May: International Labour Day
14th July: Republic Day
17th – 20th July: Eid-al-Fitr Feast (End of Ramadan)*
23rd - 26th September: Eid al-Qurban Feast*
14th October: Muharram (Islamic New Year) *
23rd October: Ashura*
25th December: Christmas Day
* Follows the Muslim calendar, Islamic holiday dates are estimated only.

Other important dates in 2015

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.
10th February: Kurdish Authors Union Day
18th February: Kurdish Students Union Day
1st March: Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani’s Death
7th March : Liberation of Slemani 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)
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