October 2024, the Humanitarian Relief Association for the Women of Turkmen Iraq organized a field visit to the Great Noor Mosque in Kirkuk as part of its initiative to promote interfaith dialogue. During the visit, they met with Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Khorshid, the imam and preacher of the mosque.
The visit, which witnessed diverse attendance from various ethnicities, sects, and religions in the city, represented an important step towards enhancing understanding and coexistence among community components.
During the meeting, Dr. Sheikh expressed his great pleasure in hosting this unique gathering, emphasizing that this is the first time such a diverse group from the Kirkuk community has visited the mosque, highlighting the spirit of tolerance and unity that the initiative aims to achieve. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Dr. Sheikh as a symbol of peace and love.
The visit was not limited to the Great Noor Mosque only; it also included the Mandaean Sabean Forum and the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, where participants interacted with religious leaders in these places and listened to explanations about various religious rituals and beliefs.
One of the most notable outcomes of this activity was the rich interaction among participants, who exchanged information and ideas about their beliefs and experiences. This interfaith meeting was not just a traditional visit, but an opportunity to deepen the spirit of brotherhood and acceptance of others, reinforcing the idea that Kirkuk, with its rich history and cultural and religious diversity, is capable of being a model for peaceful coexistence.
In conclusion, the participants emphasized the importance of continuing to organize such events that promote peace and understanding among religions, affirming that communication between different religions and cultures is the best way to build a strong and cohesive community.
This initiative embodies the vision of building bridges of communication and understanding among the various religious and ethnic groups in Kirkuk, in order to achieve a future characterized by peace and coexistence.
is worth mentioning that this activity was organized by the Humanitarian Relief Association for Turkmen Women in Iraq in partnership with Peace and Freedom Organization and under the Participatory Grant-Making in JISRA (PGM in JISRA).
