(The role of the Shiite-Kurdish relationship for enhancing Iraqi national stability) Ishtar Center for Democracy Support In partnership with: MERI Middle East Research Institute Second day June 26th, 2022 Ishtar Center for Democracy Support held in the city of Najaf (the Components Dialogue Conference), in which a number of Shiite and Kurdish leaders and decision-makers, including political, governmental and parliamentary figures, members of political offices and prominent leaders of the main Shiite and Kurdish parties, hosted a wide participation of the elites of the Najafi society and with media coverage from Kurdish and Arab channels. Conference agenda: Dr. Muhammad Elwia, head of the Ishtar Center speech Dr. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, President of the MERI Foundation speech A discussion platform with the speakers: Jaafar Aymenki – Member of the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, former Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Saadi Pera – Member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Dr. Sherwan Al-Waeli – Former Minister of National Security Dr. Muhammad Hossam Al-Husseini – Member of the Political Bureau of Alhikma movement Platform moderator: Dr. Ayad Al-Anbar, Professor of Political Science – University of Baghdad. The speakers and attendees addressed the social repercussions of political relations between Shiites and Kurds. The historical roles of the city of Najaf were emphasized with its scholars, elites and intellectuals in defending the rights of the Kurdish people in northern Iraq, and discussed how to employ historical positions in addressing the current intersections and problems, as well as exchanging visions between social and political forces. Participation on the nature and form of the political system that Shiites and Kurds aspire to. Through dialogue, the idea of ”the ability of the societal elites to take the initiative to address the problems that result from the policies of partisan and political forces” was reinforced. The timing of this conference came in conjunction with the political complications in the Iraqi national arena due to crises, intersections, conflicting policies and instability.
