Kurdish Ministry of Awqaf establishes representative to Jews

The Ministry of Awqaf (religious endowments) in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has officially opened up a Representation of the Jewish Religion.

Two staff members have been appointed to this function.

This is the actualization of Ministerial Order No. 181 issued in April, which "provides for the establishment of the Representation of the Jews in the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs."

The purpose of the act is to act as a liaison to Jews and to serve the Kurdistan's Jews In on formal occasions

According to estimates there are currently about 430 Jewish families in Iraq's Kurdistan.

The ministry has previously done setablished a similar office for Baha'is.

See here for details on Kurdistan' Jewish history, and here for an explanation of ties between Israel and the Kurds.