Al-Mashhadani calls for constitutional amendments to transition Iraq away from sectarianism

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s speaker of parliament, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, has called for an initiative to revisit Iraq’s constitution as a key step toward transforming the country from a state built on sectarian grounds to one founded on citizenship. Speaking during a memorial ceremony commemorating the anniversary of Mohammed Baqir Al-Hakim, Al-Mashhadani addressed Iraq’s political challenges and underscored the importance of unity and reform.

“In 2014, when Sunni-majority areas collapsed, a question arose among the people. My answer was the creation of a pivotal document called the ‘National Settlement Initiative,’ which provided clear answers,” Al-Mashhadani said.

“I personally delivered this document to the UN Secretary-General with the intention of implementing it after the 2018 elections,” Al-Mashhadani continued. “Its core message was to revisit the constitution as a preparatory step to transition Iraq from a state based on sectarian groups to one founded on citizenship.”

The “National Settlement Initiative” of 2014 was an Iraqi political proposal aimed at achieving national reconciliation and addressing the country’s ongoing political and security crises. The initiative was introduced by the Iraqi National Alliance, led at the time by Ammar Al-Hakim.

The document sought to establish a clear roadmap for rebuilding trust among Iraq’s diverse communities, fostering national unity, and transitioning from a state based on sectarian and ethnic components to one rooted in citizenship and equal rights.

Mohammed Baqir Al-Hakim was an influential Iraqi Shia cleric and political leader, known for founding the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq before his assassination in 2003.

Some excerpts from Al-Mashhadani’s speech:

In 2014, when Sunni-majority areas collapsed, a question arose among the people. My answer was the creation of a pivotal document called the ‘National Settlement Initiative,’ which provided clear answers.

This document presented a clear roadmap and was handed over to Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim. It was approved by top political leaders, political committees, and public bodies.

I personally delivered this document to the UN Secretary-General with the intention of implementing it after the 2018 elections. Its essence was to revisit the constitution as a preparatory step to transition Iraq from a state based on sectarian groups to one based on citizenship.

The National Settlement Initiative is considered one of the most important tools that can help us review mistakes and achieve national unity.

Iraq’s noble positions towards the Islamic nation have always been a source of admiration for everyone and have consistently remained on the right path.

We support Iraq’s noble stance in supporting Gaza.

We emphasize the importance of national unity and call for overcoming mistakes after diagnosing them while avoiding the oppositional mindset that hinders state-building.

If the Syrian regime had reconciled with the opposition, its fate would have been different. However, they hesitated, and for this reason, we must abandon the oppositional mindset if we truly want to build a strong and stable state.

Some leaders continue to act with an oppositional mindset, which is an act of destruction rather than construction.

We must focus on national unity, as it is more important than any other issue, and it can only be achieved through satisfaction among all parties, diagnosing problems, and addressing them effectively.