News: Iraqi Prime Minister Meets Syriac Catholic Patriarch to Discuss Christians’ Situation and the Return of Displaced Persons and Migrants

Photo caption: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi receives Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan and his accompanying delegation. Source and photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office – pmo.iq

Ishtar TV

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi received His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church worldwide, accompanied by a delegation, to discuss the situation of Christians in Iraq and the region, as well as government efforts to facilitate the return of displaced persons and migrants to their areas of origin.

According to a statement published on the official website of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office, the meeting addressed several issues concerning the Christian community, alongside discussions on measures aimed at encouraging Iraqis living abroad to return and settle in their homeland.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating suitable conditions for the return of all displaced persons and migrants wishing to return to Iraq. He noted that returnees would be eligible to benefit from the “Watan” initiative, which provides residential land plots.

The Prime Minister also directed that procedures for issuing the unified national identity card to Iraqis residing abroad be facilitated, helping address some of the administrative obstacles they face.

For his part, Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan praised the efforts of the Prime Minister and the government in addressing the difficulties faced by Iraqis abroad and providing the necessary conditions for the return of displaced families. He expressed his hope that Iraq and its people would enjoy security, stability, peace and love.

The meeting comes amid continued calls to strengthen opportunities for Christians and displaced families to return to their places of origin, while ensuring the security, public services and economic conditions necessary for their resettlement and for preserving the historic presence of the Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian people in Iraq.