Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued the following statement to congratulate Ali Elias on his appointment as the Baba Sheikh of the Yezidi community:
I wish Ali Elias success in his new role as the Baba Sheikh of the Yezidi community. I have confidence that he will serve the Yezidi people and their Spiritual Council well. On this occasion, I wish to extend my full support to him and his efforts.
I hope that this appointment will foster greater unity and harmony among the Yezidi community and bring an end to their hardships. I also hope this appointment paves the way for Yezidi IDPs to be able to return to their ancestral homes.
The Kurdistan Regional Government is committed to promoting religious tolerance, and respects the distinctiveness of the Yezidi religion, as well as all other religious and ethnic groups that make up the diverse fabric of the Kurdistan Region.