EIN Network Holds Electoral Awareness Forum for Religious Leaders and Representatives of Faith Communities in Erbil as Part of the "Democracy and Transparency" Project

Erbil – Tuesday, June 3, 2025

The EIN Network for Election Monitoring and Democracy, in cooperation with the Shams and Tammuz Networks and with the support of the European Union, organized an awareness forum for religious leaders and representatives of various religious and faith communities in Erbil. The event was held at the General Directorate of Endowments Hall as part of the activities of the "Democracy and Transparency: Empowering Civic Engagement and Media Freedom" project.

The forum was held within the framework of the Erbil Governorate Subcommittee on Electoral Awareness, aiming to enhance participation in the electoral process and raise awareness about the Independent High Electoral Commission's (IHEC) procedures, particularly the biometric update process and efforts to ensure free and fair elections.

The event was attended by the representative of the Minister of Endowments in the Kurdistan Regional Government, the General Director of Endowments in Erbil, as well as a large number of representatives from diverse religious and faith groups, including Islam, Christianity, Yazidism, Mandaeism, Kakaism, and Zoroastrianism.

The forum began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcoming speech by the General Director of Endowments in Erbil, who thanked EIN and the organizing team, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives, especially for religious leaders.

This was followed by speeches from Dr. Bashir Khalil Al-Haddad, former Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament; the representative of the Minister of Endowments; and the Director of the Erbil Office of IHEC.

A representative of EIN then presented a brief overview of the project, its objectives, and its importance in strengthening democratic participation. Following this, representatives from IHEC gave a comprehensive presentation on biometric registration procedures and the issuance of voter ID cards, stressing the vital role of religious leaders in educating and mobilizing communities.

Before the conclusion, the floor was opened for questions, comments, and discussion from the attendees. The forum concluded with valuable exchanges and a group photo to commemorate the event.