2025-02-23
“Kirkuk: Present and Future” Conference Concludes its Proceedings
On Monday, February 23, 2025, the " Kirkuk: Present and Future " conference, organized by Soran University in collaboration with a group of academics from Kirkuk, concluded its activities. The event was attended by Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University, members of the University Council, government and party officials, and academics.
Over the course of the two-day conference, six panels were presented by academics and researchers on the issue of Kirkuk. The panels shed light on the century-old problems of Kirkuk from political, social, geographical, and historical perspectives. Discussions also addressed Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, the process of Arabization, the issue of land occupation, demographic changes in the region, and the negative consequences of failing to resolve these issues on the local population, particularly the Kurdish community.
On the second and final day of the conference, two panels were held:
First panel
Moderator, Dr. Mahdi Amin Stoni
- Asst. Prof.Dr. Media Ibrahim, Returning to Kirkuk from the Perspective of the Second Generation of Migrant Youth
- Dr.Najiba Ibrahim, Peaceful Coexistence in Kirkuk; Reality and Aspirations
- Dr. Saeed Qadir, Education Based on Dialogue as a Pillar of Coexistence- Kirkuk as a Case Study
- Khasro Aziz, The Issue of Kirkuk’s Return to the Kurdistan Region: Between Solutions and Obstacles
Second Panel
Moderator, Dr. Shaho Ghafour
-Prof. Dr. Kamaran Rashid, The Value of Peaceful Coexistence Among the Components of Kirkuk Province in Light of Religious Texts Advocating Forgiveness and Respect for Humanity
- Dr.Omar Ali Rashid, US-Iraq Relations and Their Impact on the Issues Between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad from 2011 to 2022.
- Prof. Dr. Fuad Rashid, US and British Policies Toward the Kirkuk Issue from 2003 to 2022.
- Asst. Prof.Dr. Sanh Shareef Qader, The Role of International Law in Solving Issues Related to the Disputed Territories in Iraq
Following the panels, certificates of appreciation and shields were presented to the panelists, moderators, and the high committee of the conference by Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University.
Subsequently, the recommendations and proposals of the "Present and Future of Kirkuk" conference were read in both Kurdish and Arabic by Dr. Dilshad Mahmoud and Dr. Hamid Abdullah, respectively. These recommendations will be submitted to the relevant authorities.
At the conclusion of the conference, the closing speech was delivered by Prof. Dr. Sirwan Amin Jabbar, Chairman of the High Committee of the Conference.
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