Najaf: The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UNAMI Mission, Mohammed Al-Hassan, applauded Iraq’s profound ancient civilization during a lecture to political science students at the Al-Alamein Institute for Graduate Studies. This event was part of his recent tour in Najaf, following a significant meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sistani.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Hassan emphasized Iraq’s pivotal role in the development of human knowledge and literacy. He remarked that “Iraq is the first country to teach humanity how to read and how to write,” noting the nation’s embrace of 12 different civilizations from Nineveh in the north to Basra in the south throughout its storied history.

Addressing the students directly, Al-Hassan asserted, “You are an extension of this civilization, and we see you only as pride and honor.” He underscored the importance of intellectual development for the country’s future, stating that “Iraq needs to build minds, and the Al-Ala
mein Institute was established for the purpose of building the minds that build Iraq.”