Dr. Firsat Sofi, Governor of Erbil, sits with FAI Director Dalton Thomas in 2019.
Iraqi Kurdistan awoke to sad news on Wednesday morning. Dr. Firsat Sofi Ali, the Governor of Erbil Province, passed away from complications related to COVID-19 in an Istanbul hospital the previous day. The governor was just 42 years old and is survived by his wife and four children.
Dr. Sofi was born in Choman, Erbil province. After a humble upbringing, he earned a Ph.D in International Law from Salahuddin University in the Kurdish capital of Erbil. After serving Kurdistan as a law professor, he became a legal advisor to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). He was eventually elected to represent Kurdish president Barzani’s KDP party in parliament before being elected to the governorship of Erbil province just one year ago. Dr. Sofi contracted COVID-19 last month and was transferred to the Turkish hospital in Erbil on November 2 for treatment before succumbing to the disease on Tuesday night.
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Dr. Sofi was a much-beloved leader in Iraqi Kurdistan, evidenced by the outpouring of condolences and support across Kurdish media. The KRG released a statement on Wednesday describing the late governor as a “humble patriot and a dutiful public servant, who faithfully carried out his duties as Governor of Erbil and worked tirelessly in his service to the public.” FAI had the honor and privilege of working with Dr. Sofi who FAI director Dalton Thomas described him as a “dear friend” and a “good man.” The governors remains will be received at Erbil International Airport on Thursday for a state ceremony. Kurdistan’s president, parliamentarians and other officials will be in attendance.
We would ask the global FAI family to be in prayer for Dr. Sofi’s family and the people of Kurdistan during this painful time.
Maranatha.
