St. George’s Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Church in Baghdad hosted a ceremonial event organized by Masarat Foundation, attended by several foundation members and the Farasan Al-Hiwar team, to honor Father Yonan Al-Fareed, the pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church in Baghdad and Secretary of the Council of Christian Denomination Leaders in Iraq.
This honor was in recognition of his spiritual, educational, and humanitarian work, and his prominent role in promoting the values of coexistence and citizenship, particularly through his management of Al-Farah School, which has been an active partner of Masarat Foundation in the Citizenship Education program for three consecutive years, contributing to instilling concepts of belonging, diversity, and civic responsibility among students.
During the ceremony, Father Yonan Al-Fareed was awarded the Citizenship Shield for 2026, making him the first honoree of Masarat Foundation for this year, in a gesture reflecting the foundation’s appreciation for individuals who combine religious mission, educational work, and community engagement.
The event featured several speeches; Dr. Saad Salloum, General Coordinator of Masarat Foundation, emphasized the symbolic significance of this recognition and highlighted the importance of partnerships with educational and religious institutions in building sustainable civic awareness. Dr. Amina Al-Dhahabi, from the Farasan Al-Hiwar program, spoke about the collaboration with Al-Farah School and its positive impact on promoting a culture of dialogue and acceptance of others.
The Citizenship Shield was presented to Father Yonan by MP Murad Ismail, who underscored the pivotal role of citizenship education in protecting social peace and enhancing national cohesion. Dr. Mohammad Hossam Al-Husseini, President of the Strategic Public Policy Foundation, also highlighted the importance of civil society in defending citizenship values, preserving diversity, and confronting hate speech and exclusion.
The ceremony concluded with a poetic performance by poet Hussam Al-Sarai, General Coordinator of Basmat Baghdad, who recited a poem reflecting the spirit of inclusive Baghdad and the meanings of loyalty and giving.
This honor is part of Masarat Foundation’s vision to celebrate national figures who, each from their position, have contributed to consolidating the values of citizenship, dialogue, coexistence, and human development as the fundamental pillar of any sustainable national project.
