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On Friday 2nd July 2010, the Centre for Islamic Shi’a Studies held a panel discussion event in New York, USA.

The event was held in association with Alulbayt Foundation, an international NGO registered at the UN ECOSOC, and Iraqi Development Organization, a local NGO in Iraq focusing on aid projects. The event took place at the United Nations Church Centre in New York and was titled ‘Iraq’s religious heritage: a history of civilization’. The speakers on the panel were H.E Dr Hamid Al-Bayati, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the UN, and Professor Eric M. Davis, Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Dr Al-Bayati spoke about the diversity of Iraq’s treasures, particularly the archaeological ones, including those from antiquity and especially religious heritage that is up to 3,000 years old. His presentation included images and details of Iraq’s current treasures and also looked at the post-2003 situation with the unfortunate looting of museums and the subsequent efforts at recovery. He praised international partners such as neighbouring countries and bodies like UNESCO among others in helping Iraq regain its stature as the keeper of some of the world’s most valuable pieces of art and archaeology.

The Ambassador also touched upon the great variety of religious traditions in Iraq, mentioning his own personal background in studying in a Christian missionary school as a child. He emphasised the history of peaceful cohabitation of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities, as well as the Yezidi, Sabaen and other religious minorities. Some anecdotes of how Baghdad was a centre for cultural exchange and advances, from 1,250 years ago until the 1970s were retold and that there is an overwhelming desire to see Baghdad and Iraq regain its stature in the world.

Prof Davis looked at the pre-modern and modern trends of Iraq’s religious groupings through the lens of a social historian and political scientist. He showed how today’s demographics are linked to that of the Ottoman period and that Iraq has always been a complex mix of political and religious groupings. There was a special mention of the clergy in Najaf and the role that the Maraji’ have played in key events in Iraq’s history.

Among several interesting slides, Dr Davis pointed to the increase in religiosity or religious practice among the people, both in the urban centres and the wider country post-2003. This has had immense political implications and that the religious centres and authorities will undoubtedly wield popular influence for many years to come.

The event was attended by several ambassadors, diplomats, academics, UN officials, NGO staff and press. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many comments mentioning the great interest the event generated and the details presented by the panel. It is hoped that this will be the first in a series of events to be held in New York and Geneva by the CISS that will discuss key international issues.