Jafar Sadiq / Baghdad
The idea of interacting with other components did not occur to me in the way I experienced it at the camp “In Dialogue We Stay and Rise.” The program was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me personally, as it allowed me to engage with different identities and learn about other cultures.
The distance between me and those who differ from me in belief and sect has diminished after this coexistence, even if it was just over a few days.
I realized afterward that the reality of differences is a source of richness, and the diversity of details among ethnicities is a source of strength for both the individual and society. I practically understood that the Iraqi national identity can be realized in reality.
The participants who accompanied me in the camp represented all components of society, which touched my spirit, as I felt that all of Iraq was with me in this experience.
This experience made me aware that the discourse of peace and harmony exists in all religions and sects, and that those who advocate for this vital rapprochement between people of different beliefs have their hands extended toward the other, eager to create a true national fabric that cannot be reduced to intolerance or extremism that disrupts the atmosphere of dialogue and rapprochement.
The most wonderful aspect of this experience is getting to know the shared history as a mechanism to open dialogue among community components. Therefore, learning about the history of the religions present in Iraq was significant; Zoroastrianism has a rich history of human philosophy with roots extending back to the dawn of history, and the same goes for Yazidism. The meetings with religious leaders from various sects and religions are, in themselves, a source of inspiration for resolving conflicts and building peace through dialogue.
Understanding the mechanism of religious decision-making enabled me to clarify some confusions that I had when considering certain issues and positions. Religious narratives have always been directed toward achieving peace for humanity.
