On the eve of the International Christian-Islamic Forum, a papal delegation comprising Stephen B. Young of the United States, Lord Daniel Brennan of the British House of Lords, and John Dalla Costa of Italy, arrived at the University of Kufa to participate in the International Christian-Islamic Forum events that scheduled to commence on 15/3/2023.

The delegation met the University of Kufa president, Prof. Yasir Lafta Hassoun. They discussed with the president the role of universities in building generations and promoting a culture of peaceful coexistence among all religious and ethnic communities. The president provided members of the delegation with an explanation of the Vatican Pope’s visit to Najaf al-Ashraf and the historic meeting that brought together the religious authority Ali Al Sistani.

Furthermore, the Papal delegation touched on Najaf al-Ashraf’s relationship with the Vatican as two religious centres seeking to promote dialogue and peaceful coexistence among all peoples, expressing its admiration for the University of Kufa and its infrastructure. The delegation also visited the UNESCO Chair at the University and familiarized itself with the Chair’s literature on the dialogue of religions. The Director Chair, Dr Alaa Shatnan, explains the nature of the Chair’s work, activities and issuances.

Translated into English by Shaima Adnan.