ERBIL () - Head of International Relations of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation (KDC) met Indian spiritual leader and Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Washington on Sunday, where the two sides discussed Kurdistan, peaceful coexistence and future cooperation.
According to a statement provided on the meeting, the head of the confederation's Office of International Relations met Ravi Shankar and expressed appreciation for his peace-building and humanitarian activities.
Rahim Rashidi, speaking on behalf of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation, highlighted Ravi Shankar's relationship with Kurdistan, recalling his visit to the Region in 2014 during the war against ISIS.
Rashidi said Ravi Shankar had subsequently become a prominent voice in support of Kurdistan and the Ezidis, who were subjected to genocide by ISIS.
During the discussion, the confederation representative also recalled a statement by President Barzani during the war against ISIS in which he urged Kurdistan's different communities not to leave the country, saying: "We will live together and we will die together."
The meeting also included an invitation for Ravi Shankar to visit Erbil again.
The confederation representative said a new visit would give the spiritual leader an opportunity to see developments in Kurdistan and what he described as the growth of religious freedom following the defeat of ISIS. He also encouraged Ravi Shankar to continue using his international profile in support of Kurdistan.
Ravi Shankar expressed his pleasure at the meeting and conveyed greetings to the people of Kurdistan and President Barzani, according to the statement.
He also praised Kurdistan's culture of peaceful coexistence, describing it as important and worthy of admiration.
Both sides agreed to maintain relations and continue cooperation.
Ravi Shankar founded the Art of Living, an organization active in areas including peace, human rights and healthy living.
According to information provided with the statement, the organization has activities and representation in approximately 182 countries, with more than 10,000 centers and nearly 40,000 instructors. Its activities extend to countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland and China, while its headquarters is in India.
The Washington meeting centered on strengthening existing ties while highlighting Kurdistan's experience of religious and communal coexistence and Ravi Shankar's previous engagement with the Region during one of its most difficult periods.
