Al-Sudani: Diversity in Iraq is a source of strength and a factor of stability

Baghdad - INA

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed, today, Thursday, that diversity in Iraq is one of the constants that call for pride in what it represents as a source of strength and a factor of stability while stressing the necessity of maintaining the state of institutions and citizenship and ensuring that everyone practices their rituals and worship with complete freedom.

The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today the Patriarch of the Chaldeans in Iraq and the World, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako, and a number of Chaldean bishops participating in the annual session of the Chaldean Church Synod Conference, hosted by the capital, Baghdad.".

Al-Sudani welcomed "His Beatitude the Cardinal and the delegation of bishops," expressing his support for "the convening of the Chaldean Church Synod Conference in Baghdad, which celebrates all the fraternal Iraqi components, foremost among them the authentic Christian component that carries important civilizational and humanitarian contributions to the history of Iraq and the building of the state.".

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that "diversity in Iraq is one of the constants that calls for pride; as it represents a source of strength and a factor of stability", praising "the position of the religious leadership of the Iraqi Christian component, which was present in all challenges, endured tragedies and terrorism, and participated in repelling attempts to create a rift between Iraqis".

He continued, "The government aspires for the return of all Christians to Iraq, within the framework of its keenness to maintain the cohesion of the Iraqi social fabric, and its commitment to this position of the Christian component, stressing, "that duty now calls - after two decades of change and victory over terrorism - to maintain the state of institutions and citizenship, and to ensure that everyone practices their rituals and worship with complete freedom".

He stated that "Iraq's great resources must be employed to confirm stability". The Prime Minister touched on the effects of terrorism and aggression in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, stressing, "Iraq's endeavour at all levels to end this crisis; Because the security of the region is an integrated and indivisible unit.”.

For their part, His Beatitude Patriarch Sako and the attending bishops expressed their thanks to the Prime Minister for his patronage and support for holding this conference in Baghdad. They also renewed their support for “the government’s steps within the framework of building peace and stability, providing public services to ensure a decent life for all Iraqis without exception or discrimination, and giving priority to the interests of the Iraqi people over any secondary factional interests.”