Community Memory and Its Role in Building National Unity

2025-10-02

Community Memory and Its Role in Building National Unity
Bayt al-Hikma – Department of Islamic Studies, in cooperation with the Mashura Center for Studies and Development, organized a scientific symposium titled “Community Memory and Its Role in Building National Unity” on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Maraya Hall of Bayt al-Hikma, with the attendance of Dr. Haider Abdul-Zahra Al-Tamimi and Dr. Raad Okla Al-Zaidi, members of the Board of Trustees of Bayt al-Hikma.
The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Waleed Abdul-Jabbar Al-Khafaji from the College of Arts, Wasit University, while the rapporteur was Assist. Prof. Dr. Mayas Diaa Baqir, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies at Bayt al-Hikma. The symposium witnessed the participation of a large number of researchers, academics, and clerics.
Discussions focused on the concept of community memory, the mechanisms of its formation, and its essential role in consolidating national unity. The participants also reviewed historical and contemporary experiences that highlight the importance of community memory in facing challenges and shaping a future built upon cohesion, shared awareness, and a unifying identity.
The research contributions reflected diverse perspectives. Dr. Hashem Sarhan Al-Awadi presented his paper titled “Iraqi Community Memory Between Official Narrative and Popular Awareness,” emphasizing that community memory is a vital factor in strengthening national identity and pointing out that maintaining balance between historical narrative and popular consciousness contributes to unity and social cohesion. Prof. Dr. Qutaiba Abbas Hamad, from the College of Education for Women at Al-Iraqia University, in his paper “The Role of Education in Consolidating Community Memory and Enhancing National Unity,” explained the pivotal role of education in instilling values of belonging and embedding community memory through curricula and educational activities, thereby fostering societal cohesion.
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Yassin Abd, from the College of Administration and Economics at Al-Iraqia University, delivered a paper entitled “The Civilizational Dimension in Iraq and Its Impact on National Unity,” where he examined Iraq’s civilizational heritage as a cornerstone of citizenship and patriotism, providing cultural and historical foundations for social solidarity. Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Sadiq Al-Jaf, from Al-Imam Al-Azam University, addressed the role of media in his paper “Media and the Making of Community Memory in Iraq: From Reshaping to Enhancing National Cohesion,” stressing the importance of national media in shaping collective memory and employing it effectively to reinforce unity.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Mansour Al-Abdali, Director of the Institute for Intellectual Training and Development at the General Directorate for Combating Intellectual Terrorism – Popular Mobilization Authority, presented his study “Iraqi Community Memory and Its Role in Unifying the Word and Building Peace,” underscoring the necessity of overcoming societal divisions to promote coexistence and peace.
The symposium concluded with a paper by Dr. Haider Abdul-Zahra Al-Tamimi, member of the Board of Trustees of Bayt al-Hikma and Head of the Mashura Center for Studies and Development, entitled “Community Memory and Its Role in Building National Unity – A Reading in the Iraqi Reality.” In his paper, he examined how community memory can be employed to achieve peaceful coexistence and strengthen unity within Iraqi society.
The symposium was marked by the presence of a distinguished group of researchers and specialists who enriched the event with valuable interventions and insightful discussions.