UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
Dr. Tahseen Fadel Abbas, representing the UNESCO Chair for Dialogue, participated in a series of discussions on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region at the second Najaf-Erbil Forum held in Najaf on December 21, 2024.
The discussions and dialogues revolved around the following key themes:
•Kurdish-Shiite relations: Lessons from alliances and rivalries.
•Sustained dialogue between the Kurdistan Region and the Supreme Shiite Religious Authority and its impact on the Iraqi reality.
•The influence of internal Kurdish and Shiite conflicts on relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
•Agreements and disagreements among Kurdish and Shiite political parties regarding the constitution, as well as economic and political issues.
•Prospects for bilateral relations between Erbil and Najaf in light of geopolitical changes in the Middle East.
In his remarks, Dr. Tahseen highlighted the major obstacles to Kurdish integration with other components of Iraq to build a promising future for the country. Among these challenges, he pointed to ethnic polarization and the persistent concerns over safeguarding the rights of the Kurdish community.
Translated by Razan Al-Sultany
