Baghdad: Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has underscored the significance of maintaining the independence of the Sunni Endowment Diwan and safeguarding its religious platforms. He expressed these views through a statement issued by his media office, highlighting the sacred nature of places of worship and their role in promoting unity and protecting society from division.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Mashhadani commended the government’s proactive role in changing the leadership of the Sunni Endowment Diwan, viewing it as a step towards reforming state institutions and ensuring their operations remain free from external pressures and conflicts. He praised the Fiqh Council of Senior Scholars for their support in establishing a moderate approach and protecting the unity of religious discourse.

Al-Mashhadani asserted that the Sunni Endowment Diwan should remain detached from political conflicts, preserving its status as an independent religious institution. He stressed that the resources of the Endowment should not be exploited for partisan or electoral purposes, nor should religious platforms be used as propaganda tools. This principle, he noted, must be upheld across all governorates without exception.

He warned against the dangers of intertwining religion and politics, emphasizing that religious platforms and resources should serve as spaces for unity, awareness, and reform, rather than being drawn into personal or political disputes. Al-Mashhadani highlighted that protecting the Endowment Diwan and its platforms is both a national duty and a religious obligation, crucial for reinforcing citizens’ trust in their country’s institutions and upholding the rule of law.

The Parliament Speaker reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to monitoring this issue to ensure the Endowment Diwan remains an independent and inclusive institution, free from all forms of politicization.