The Crisis Studies Department at the Center organized a workshop titled “The Role of Social Diversity in Strengthening National Identity in Iraq,” presented by Assistant Lecturer Amani Hashim Latif.
The workshop explored Iraq’s ethnic and religious diversity, highlighting the coexistence of Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, and Sabians, alongside a religious spectrum that includes Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, and other groups.
The speaker emphasized that while diversity presents certain challenges, it also serves as a cultural asset that, when properly embraced, can reinforce national identity and foster unity.
The discussion also examined Iraq’s historical legacy, emphasizing its role as the cradle of Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilizations—a testament to the country’s long-standing tradition of cultural integration across different eras.
However, the workshop also addressed the negative consequences of politicizing diversity, noting that its exploitation for sectarian or political purposes has, at times, contributed to divisions and conflicts.
The workshop aimed to identify the challenges to national identity and propose strategies to transform social diversity into a unifying force rather than a source of division.