Memories of a nation and the journey of a country… An analytical review from the birth of independence to today’s challenges at a specialized scientific symposium in Diyala
As part of the celebrations of the Faculty of Basic Education at the University of Diyala for Iraqi National Week, and in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in line with the directives of the University Presidency, the Faculty, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Division, organized a specialized scientific symposium entitled: “Iraq’s Independence and State-Building Efforts 1932-2025: A Historical Review of a Journey of Achievements and Failures.”
The seminar was attended by the Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs, Prof. Dr. Wissam Jalil Sabah, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Omar Rahman Al-Arki, and a group of faculty members, specialists, and graduate students. The symposium witnessed scientific interaction and intellectual dialogue on the most prominent milestones in Iraq’s political history, from the emergence of the modern state to the present day.
The symposium began with a short documentary film depicting the most prominent milestones in the establishment of the modern Iraqi state, starting with the British occupation, through the 1920 revolution and the formation of the first national government, to Iraq’s official independence in 1932, reviewing the symbols of that period and the most prominent challenges faced by Iraqis in building an independent and sovereign state. The film received interaction and interest from the audience due to its rare documents and valuable historical archive clips.
The symposium included a discussion of several topics. The first topic was presented by teacher Wissam Karim Mahmoud and was entitled:
“A Reading of the Precursors to the Establishment of the Iraqi State and its Problems until Independence 1914-1932.”
He addressed the historical background that paved the way for the formation of the modern Iraqi state and the challenges that accompanied this process, such as occupation, revolution, and the formation of the first national government. The second topic was presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Hajar Abduldayim Mahdi, entitled:
“Challenges after independence until the end of the monarchy, 1932-1958”
In it, she discussed the most prominent political, social, and economic challenges faced by the young Iraqi state, as well as the features of the monarchy’s experience in governing and building state institutions. The third theme was presented by Professor Dr. Qahtan Hamid Kazim, entitled:
“The Iraqi State: A Historical Review of a Journey of Achievements and Failures, 1958-2025”
In his presentation, he provided a detailed analytical review of the development of the Iraqi state and the major transformations it underwent during successive republics, focusing on periods of transition, wars, the democratic system, and efforts to rebuild the state after 2003.
This seminar is part of the college’s efforts to support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16: “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.” Through its academic activities, the college seeks to establish historical awareness, promote a culture of criticism and analysis, and understand the complexities of state-building, thereby contributing to the support of strong institutions based on knowledge and national awareness.