The Iraqi Chargé d’affaires a.i. Visits the Islamic Community Center (Al-Mashyakha Al-Islamiya) in Croatia

On September 22nd, 2021 the Head of Mission Mr. Amer Abdulhussein Al-Fatlawi, visited the Islamic Community Center (Al-Mashyakha Al-Islamiya) in Zagreb, and met the Mufti of the Republic of Croatia and the Head of the Islamic Community Center His Eminence Dr. Aziz Hasanovic. Mr. Al-Fatlawi was accompanied by the Second Secretary Mr. Yasir Ibrahim Saleh Al-Badri.

The two sides discussed ways of improving the relations between the two countries and enhancing the cooperation between the Religious References in Iraq and Croatia in religious and cultural events.

Mr. Al-Fatlawi presented an explanation of the current situation in Iraq and its developments, as he talked about the historical visit of Pope Francis to Iraq, his visit to the ancient city of Ur, the meeting with His Eminence Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani, the holy mass he held in the Church of Sydat Al Nejat in Baghdad, his visit to the city of Mosul, and the holy mass he held there.

His Eminence Dr. Hasanovic welcomed the Chargé d’affaires a.i. and expressed his satisfaction with the Embassy’s interest in cooperating and coordinating with the Islamic Community Center. He added that the Center is in the process of establishing an Islamic cultural project that includes an Islamic school and an institute for Arabic language, and it is also in the process of resuming the Holy Qur’an memorizing competition in the non-Muslim countries. His Eminence also expressed his happiness in the Pope’s visit to Iraq. As he added how it was an honor to comment on the Croatian national TV channels the importance of that visit. The mufti also considered Iraq to be the meeting place for all civilizations and monotheistic religions.

The Head of Mission stressed the necessity of exchanging visits to religious references in Iraq and Croatia, especially after Iraq lifted entry visas for Croatian citizens, in order to build excellent bilateral relations and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries.