At the North European Academy platform in Sulaymaniyah

Diyala University examines the challenges of Islamic unity and participates in an international scientific committee
In a scientific achievement that reflects the distinguished academic presence of its teaching staff, Professor Qahtan Hamid Kazim from the History Department at the Faculty of Basic Education at Diyala University participated in the 8th International Scientific Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, organised by the Northern European Academy at the University of Sulaymaniyah from 26 to 29 November 2025.
The professor’s participation had two important dimensions, represented by his active membership in the scientific committee of the conference and his presentation of a serious scientific research paper entitled: ‘The Impact of Diversity among Islamic Groups and Sects on Islamic Unity: A Contemporary Historical Perspective.’ This research was conducted in collaboration with Professor Dr. Qasma Madhat Hussein from the University of Bilad al-Rafidain/Department of Interfaith Dialogue.
The Dean of the College, Assistant Professor Dr. Ayman Abdul Aoun, praised this valuable international scientific participation, emphasising that ‘the contributions of our teaching staff to international conferences enhance the College’s research standing and open up prospects for joint scientific cooperation and exchange of experiences.’
The participation of the faculty comes in light of the great importance of the research in addressing intellectual and sensitive issues of concern to Iraqi society and the Islamic world, and the need to activate the language of sober academic dialogue to address sectarian challenges and strive to consolidate the principles of unity and mutual understanding.
This active scientific participation is in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, and is particularly consistent with the following goals: Goal 4: Quality education: through supporting sober scientific research and disseminating academic knowledge in international forums, thereby contributing to raising the quality of higher education. Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The research topic directly aims to promote social peace and justice by rejecting sectarian division and building strong academic institutions that contribute to resolving intellectual conflicts. Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals: The partnership is embodied in the research collaboration between the Universities of Diyala and Bilad al-Rafidain, and participation in an international conference that brings together researchers from different backgrounds to achieve the common goal of promoting human understanding.