The President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Professor Dr. Ali Muhyiddin Al-Qaradaghi, who is also the Head of the Board of Trustees of the University of Human Development (UHD), met with top government and party officials in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during his recent return to the country.

On May 6, he met with the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and former President of the Kurdistan Region, Mr Masoud Barzani. Qaradaghi and Barzani exchanged views and discussed the political situation of Kurdistan and the wider region, as well as recent political changes in Syria. They emphasised the need for dialogue among all the political and ethnic components of the new Syria and for pursuing peaceful methods to resolve the problems and disputes. They also talked about the recent peace initiative in Türkiye regarding the Kurdish issue in that country, the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, and the imperatives of forming a new government in the Kurdistan Region, which awaits a new government following parliamentary elections that took place a few months ago.

On the same day, Dr Qaradaghi met with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr Mansour Barzani. They discussed a number of important issues, including maintaining peace and stability in Kurdistan, and focused on strengthening tolerance and coexistence among all the ethnic and religious groups living in the region. Also, on May 4, Dr Qaradaghi met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr Qubad Talabani. They both stressed the importance of having a united position among the Kurdistan political parties on the major issues that directly influence and affect the present and future state of Kurdistan. Dr Qaradaghi referred to the important role of the late Secretary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and President of Iraq, Mr Jalal Talabani, in the Kurdish liberation movements and in modern Iraq. He stated that Mr Jalal Talabani worked for the best interests of all Iraqis regardless, of their race, religion, or ethnicity.

Mr Qubad Talabani appreciated Dr Qaradaghi’s great efforts and work for the betterment of the Muslim world and the improvement of life for people in Kurdistan and Iraq. He hoped that Qaradaghi would continue his efforts to resolve the Kurdish question in Syria.

It is worth mentioning the President of the University of Human Development, Prof. Dr Mariwan Ahmed Rasheed, and the Executive Director of the Humanitarian League Organization, Engineer Hussein Najmaddin Rasool, accompanied Dr Qaradaghi during these visits.