Dialogue between different religions and beliefs is essential for mutual understanding and harmony

By Thura Kareem, UNAMI Public Information Office

Marking World Interfaith Harmony week in Iraq on 4 February 2016, the United Nations Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in collaboration with Faculty of Arts at the University of Baghdad, held a round-table discussion on the causes of extremism and violence in Iraqi society and other communities.

Several Government and United Nations dignitaries, religious leaders, academics, activists, journalists and youth participated in the discussions. In his opening remarks to the gathering, His Excellency Dr. Hussain al-Shahristani, Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, affirmed that “differences and diversity are sources of wealth and competition for a better future”. He added that the Ministry has formed specialised committees to review and revise the curricula and remove all references to hatred content that cause discord among Iraqis. Dr. Shahristani praised UNAMI’s diligent efforts in supporting Iraq and encouraged the United Nations to cooperate with the Arab countries to remove Takfiri ideas of curricula in those countries. He further urged UNAMI to continue organising activities to spread the spirit of tolerance and to develop mechanisms to protect the Iraqi society.

Peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and national unity are what Iraqis from all backgrounds and faiths aspire to. Echoing this, Mr. Marwan Ali, Director of UNAMI’s Office of Political Affairs, emphasised the need for dialogue and unity among political leaders, academics, civil society and youth in order to “weed Iraq from the tragedies that she faces and to find mechanisms to eliminate extremism”. Mr. Ali also praised the role of the Iraqi Security Forces, the popular mobilization forces and the Peshmerga, who have sacrificed a lot to maintain safety and security in the country.

In summarising messages delivered by several speakers, Dr. Alaa Abdul Hussein, Vice-Chancellor of Baghdad University, said that “Islam encourages tolerance and rejects extremism and violence”, adding that “the human being is a supreme value in the Quran and Sunnah and the University of Baghdad was and still embraces all shades of the Iraqi people”. Meanwhile, MP Ahmed Taha Sheikh Ali, warned of the consequences of political speeches that call for violence and sectarianism, which were exploited as electoral propaganda. He added that “the current political system is based on quotas which is one of the main causes of violence and must be replaced by a majority political system”.

Addressing the media, Dr. Hashim Al-Tamimi, Dean of the Faculty of Media Studies, highlighted the unprofessionalism of the media following the 2003 chaos in Iraq. Ninety per cent of the information published by the media during this time focused on violence and murder for the sole purpose of “journalistic excitement” which eventually resulted in fueling the conflict and increasing violence, he said. Dr. al-Tamimi stressed the importance of responsible and factual media reporting.

Throughout the day’s discussions, participants suggested several solutions to eliminate violence, including the separation between religion and state, according to Ms. Hana Edwar, Head of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. Ms. Edwar affirmed that the key tools of change are the media and the youth, while Professor Gabra from the University of Baghdad confirmed Iraq’s needs for a moderate and far from extremism religious leader to preach for tolerance. She added, “Iraq should learn from other countries’ experience in this aspect”.

Many questions were raised regarding the role of Iraqi youth including “why are young people radicalised?” and “What is the role of youth in spreading the spirit of tolerance and rejection of violence and extremism?” In this context, Shirin, a researcher and representative of the youth, said that “raising a family in an incorrect way and not accepting others plays a big role in the spread of extremism”. Meanwhile, academics headed by Dr. Salah al-Jabri, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who led the discussions, stressed the need to amend current laws, encourage volunteer work, and a review of the school curricula. Participants all agreed that Iraqis will win over the obscurantist thought in their war on behalf of the world against terrorism and extremism.

The United Nations marks the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week during the first week of February. The aim is to promote a culture of peace and non-violence as well as religious and cultural understanding. It is an occasion that is most befitting for Iraq. Iraq’s rich history and religious diversity well places it to prove that all religions can live together in harmony.