A glimpse into the session hosted by the Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts in Baghdad on Friday, titled "Identity and Religion." (Photo: 964media)
'How to disagree'
Baghdad forum explores secularism and religion
BAGHDAD — The Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts in Baghdad hosted a session on Friday titled “Identity and Religion,” which explored the concept of individual religiosity and the meaning of being secular or religious.
The session featured Jaafar Najm, an anthropology professor at Al-Mustansiriya University, and Mohammed Hussein Al-Rifa’i, an Iraqi professor of philosophy and sociology at the Lebanese University. Researchers, writers, and thinkers also attended the event, moderated by researcher Ahmed Hamid.
Speaking to 964media, Mohammed Hussein Al-Rifa’i emphasized that contemporary societies are built on the concept of managing differences. He explained, “This implicit agreement on how to disagree is what opens avenues for peaceful and complementary relationships.”
Al-Rifa’i called for advancing these topics into societal discourse without provoking or opposing prevailing moral standards and customs.
He described secularism as a comprehensive process, stating, “No young person can easily claim to have become secular or leftist. It requires understanding a holistic transformation that represents conscious, comprehensive change.”
Al-Rifa’i also highlighted the need to distinguish between the roles of religion and the state in society rather than advocating for their separation. He noted, “By understanding this distinction, we can initiate discussions about the other sphere.”
Reflecting on Iraq’s post-2003 political landscape, he urged a shift toward building a state aligned with global concepts after the “failure of political Islam” in the country.
Jaafar Najm, speaking on the intersection of identity, religion, and ideology, stressed the importance of contemporary methodological approaches. He highlighted the need for a new understanding of religion, stating, “We face the issue of individual versus collective religion. Collective religion is often co-opted by ideological discourse, while individual religion retains its epistemological neutrality.”
Najm argued that this neutrality is critical for fostering a current understanding of religion and addressed ways to dismantle religious ideology through systematic approaches.
Moderator Ahmed Hamid summarized the session, focusing on the broad topic of identity and religion and the narrower issue of politicizing religion in society. He emphasized the importance of individual religiosity, free from political and economic exploitation.
