Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD, in cooperation with Strategic Resource Group SRG and the Religious Freedom Institute RFI, held an online panel discussion titled (The Papal Visit to Iraq: Readings in the Spiritual and Political Meanings and Implications), featuring several honorable speakers who are specialized in interreligious dialogue, and it was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Sami al-Mamouri (Director of RCD's R&D department).

Panelists:
Prof. Dr. Hasan Latif al-Zubaidi (RCD's Director)
Dr. Kent Hill (Senior Fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute RFI)
Dr. Shaykh Abd-al-Latif al-Hamim (Former Head of the Sunni Endowment of Iraq)
Shaykh Muhannad al-Sa'idi (Researcher and Cleric)
Sayyid Mudhar al-Hilu (researcher specialized in Islamic Studies)

Prof. Dr. Hasan Latif al-Zubaidi inaugurated the discussion by saying that the papal visit is a historic event that conveys a message of peace affirming the unity of all humanity in the face of challenges, bearing positive results, constituting a milestone in the history of interreligious dialogue, and giving priority to the language of accord and tolerance that was introduced by Abrahamic religions. Next, Dr. Kent Hill indicated the benefits that could be achieved in Iraq and, the region, and the whole world if the visit surpassed protocols and formalities and reached the level of enacting real societal and legal changes, such as providing protection for minorities and overcoming the forces of violence and extremism.
Afterwards, Dr. Shaykh Abd-al-Latif al-Hamim said that the Abrahamic religions emanate from a common root, and that the positive climate, achieved by the papal visit, should be used to promote national unity and provide a role for the youth to practice free speech and exchange of ideas. Next, Shaykh Muhannad al-Sa'idi talked about the role of al-Hawzah and the historic meeting between grand ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani and H.H. Pope Francis in al-Najaf al-Ashraf, representing the global impact of this city and its presence in international political and intellectual forums.
The last panelist, Sayyid Mudhar al-Hilu, mentioned that the residents of al-Najaf al-Ashraf, and the whole Iraqi people, are very excited about the papal visit, and highlighted the long presence of Christianity in the history of Iraqi, which goes back to the days of al-Hirah kingdom, in which Christians were free to worship and practice their rites. Finally, the panel discussion was concluded with several interventions of the esteemed attendees who enriched the discussion with their ideas.