Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako advocates for democratic civil state, religious harmony in Iraq

NOHADRA, Iraq — Chaldean Patriarch and Roman Catholic Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako delivered a resounding message to Chaldeans in Iraq and across the globe, emphasizing the urgent need for Iraq to establish a democratic civil state that upholds respect for various religions, sects, and ethnic components while fostering coexistence based on citizenship.

Participating in the Fourth Forum for Peace and Security in the Middle East, launched at the American University of Kurdistan in Nohadra (Duhok) on Monday, Patriarch Sako underscored the imperative of constructing a civil system free from sectarian divisions.

He emphasized that the rich national, religious, and cultural diversity present in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) should be recognized as an invaluable asset deserving preservation and protection.

Adding further insight, the Patriarch stressed the deployment of all available resources to strengthen coexistence, peace, and societal development. He asserted that Iraq’s existing religious and national diversity should not be met with rejection, urging an end to conflicts and emphasizing that people’s lives should not be manipulated by politicians.

Patriarch Sako called for the unwavering respect of individual freedoms, advocating for the establishment of peace, coexistence, and solidarity in the region. He concluded by reiterating the critical necessity of constructing a democratic civil state founded on principles of religious respect and inclusive citizenship.