UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
Dr. Raed Obais, a member of the UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue at the University of Kufa, delivered an awareness-raising lecture and conducted a workshop on the National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism, in collaboration with Al-Makeen Foundation for Sciences and Knowledge, on Monday, 19 October 2026. The event was attended by a group of employees from Iraqi ministries and public service departments.
The initiative aimed to foster a culture of rejecting extremism and to establish a government-oriented approach that promotes the rejection of hate speech and sectarianism, encourages tolerance and empathy, and upholds respect for others through professional practices within state institutions.
During the lecture, Dr. Obais highlighted United Nations programmes designed to counter extremism, including the development of guidance manuals for international policymakers and their translation into practical action programmes. These efforts seek to unify international endeavours to combat extremism and promote the language of dialogue and peace among peoples and religions.
The participants also emphasized the humanitarian and religious dimensions of tolerance and intercultural dialogue among the various components of the national community, with the aim of fostering an atmosphere of social peace and overcoming crises, particularly in societies affected by terrorism, most notably those in the Middle East and, specifically, Iraq.
