Speech by Sayyid Al-Hakeem during the Inaugural Media Convention of the Electoral Campaign of the National State Powers’ Alliance
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Gracious
“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, we will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.”
16:97; Holy Quran
Dear brothers and sisters in attendance, encompassing both candidates and regular participants, as well as the supporting masses and those expressing affection.
Greetings to our people across all the provinces of our cherished homeland, and to everyone who contributed to and took part in organizing this impressive electoral carnival.
May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you
Under the auspices of Allah and within the confines of our beloved Iraq, fueled by the vigor of Iraq's devoted sons and the determination of the nation's statesmen, the builders of our nation, the National State Powers’ Alliance (NSPA) is convening its inaugural media conference. The purpose is to declare the commencement of its electoral campaign for the provincial council elections, emanating from the heart of Baghdad—the capital steeped in history, culture, civilization, and governance.
In the presence of numerous qualified candidates, both gentlemen and ladies, ready to engage in local elections, each representing their respective provinces, we announce to the esteemed people of Iraq the resolute intent of the NSPA. We are venturing into these pivotal elections with dedicated Iraqi spirits, lofty aspirations, and pragmatic electoral agendas grounded in sound and all-encompassing strategic plans, spanning across Baghdad and all our esteemed Iraqi provinces.
We aspire to meet the expectations of our people and garner the trust of our supporters, admirers, and the noble offspring of our nation. We derive our legitimacy, authorization, acceptance, strength, determination, and will from them. We are steadfastly moving forward to serve them, safeguard their trust, hoist their flag, fulfill their aspirations, enhance their services, and address their needs. After all, they are our people—whom we hold dear, love, respect, serve, and stand ready to redeem. Serving them is a source of pride for us.
I say it with pride, Iraqi people deserve every bit of acclaim
Our people are pampered, cherished, and deserving
Our provinces are pampered, cherished, and deserving
Iraq that unifies us and brings us together
Beloved ones, our free and collective will, along with our Iraqi constitution and democratic federal system, has afforded every one of us—equal citizens with rights and responsibilities—the right and opportunity to cast our votes and choose individuals whom we believe are apt to oversee services and realize our common goals.
This freedom and opportunity represent our collective and legitimate rights to determine our priorities, expectations, and aspirations for a decent and stable life in our homeland, provinces, districts, towns, and regions. The right to choose leaders who are righteous, better, and more competent for effective management, expressing our voices through participation in the electoral process.
Beyond the fate of our families and the future of our children, conscientious voting is a responsibility that necessitates our active, widespread, and informed participation in the elections as the unified path to achieving our legitimate goal of building our country and progressing in all fields.
Elections and ballot boxes in democratic federal Iraq are non-negotiable red lines, requiring stringent measures to protect them from deception and forgery. Standing firmly against attempts to intimidate citizens and deny their right to participate is crucial. This guarantees future generations, safeguarding their interests and empowering them to rebuild Iraq and regain its leadership in all areas.
While past experiences and challenging conditions in the country have been sources of frustration and despair, the improved security stability, relative financial abundance, and accumulated human experiences under a service-oriented federal government present reassuring factors for a new beginning that citizens deserve and our provinces merit.
In the NSPA, we firmly believe in fundamental national principles, expressed as follows:
Firstly: We have faith in the rights of our citizens and esteemed provinces, necessitating their complete fulfillment in the coming stage.
Our precious provinces, especially in Baghdad, the South, and the Middle Euphrates, have long endured exceptional circumstances for the country's sake. Despite their human contributions and vast resources, they preserved Iraq's existence, unity, and territorial sovereignty. It is our duty to work towards fulfilling those rights.
It is time for all Iraqi provinces, especially Baghdad, the Middle Euphrates, and the South, to receive their rightful financial, service-related, and comprehensive rights. This is what we will vigorously work on with sincere determination, Allah’s willing.
In the NSPA, we will strive to establish a robust relationship between the federal government and local governments, ensuring the fulfillment of financial, legal, and legislative rights for our beloved provinces.
Secondly: Economic and service priorities. The security stability and relative financial abundance demand make the economy, reconstruction, and services top priorities for the comprehensive development of our provinces.
It is time to transform Iraqi provinces into a large and open workshop around the clock to compensate for lost opportunities, record tangible achievements, complete stalled projects, and create necessary opportunities and projects for our people.
The Provincial Councils in this electoral cycle should prioritize achieving employment opportunities befitting our youth and activating studies, plans, laws, and instructions to achieve this goal.
Investment projects, infrastructure projects, laws, and instructions should emanate from this grand national developmental goal.
If we can address the issue of youth employment and combat unemployment at the level of each province, we can enable the federal government to isolate and address the problem in the long run.
Building a sustainable economy requires a conscious and informed policy cognizant of national interests and the strategic risks surrounding our beloved country.
Therefore, I call, regardless of the results of the elections, for a comprehensive national agreement among all national political powers to adopt economic priorities with clear mechanisms and binding timelines. This should form the basis for the work of the upcoming Provincial Council members, allowing them to select competent governors capable of achieving economic goals with strong support from all political powers.
The current government's achievements wouldn't have been possible without the formation of the State Administration Coalition and the support from all political powers in executing the government program. It's crucial to extend this successful political experience to all provinces and avoid turning upcoming local governments into power struggles or conflicts of will. Our people, youth, and country deserve the best, and our only path forward is cooperation, collaboration, and benevolence.
Candidates from the NSPA are committed to a strong field presence and impactful social engagement, offering top-notch services and projects to their constituents within a comprehensive and well-planned service program. This will be closely monitored centrally by us, with the grace of Allah.
Thirdly: Attracting Major Economic Investments, the upcoming Provincial Councils should enact legislation and exceptional incentives to attract significant regional and international investments to our provinces. NSPA has outlined robust plans in its electoral program. Major investments will bring funds, prosperity, and abundant job opportunities to our regions, and we will leverage all our connections, experiences, and energies to achieve this.
I say it plainly: the strength of the NSPA and what distinguishes it lies in its fundamental characteristics: openness, moderation, strong internal and external relationships, and we will use all these traits in the service of our provinces to achieve the best.
Fourthly: Integration Between Provinces in the NSPA, we will work towards interconnection, cooperation, and complete integration within each province and between them. Tasks should be distributed among our provinces based on their unique resources, turning them into agricultural, industrial, developmental, commercial, touristic, and religious hubs. Opportunities should multiply, revenues diversify, and resources, wealth, and projects should integrate with other provinces.
We have fertile land, vast underground water resources, and significant expertise in science, work, and experience. We possess the essential raw materials for any industrial operation and the necessary funds to finance projects aligned with these ambitious and vital goals. What our reality requires are effective legislation, practical laws, and strong and conscious political will.
Fifthly: Political, Social, and Security Stability in Provinces. Previous experiences of obstructing governors' work, division within councils, political bickering, and other issues must be eliminated. The compass should be directed towards joint action and national solidarity within each province. We must learn from mistakes in managing local governments, acknowledge the flaws to overcome them and learn lessons from them.
It is crucial to admit the existence of errors in managing some provinces before the formation of the National Wisdom Stream and the establishment of this electoral alliance. We have reviewed these mistakes, identified them, and learned from the lessons and experiences. Based on this review, we present today to our people an economic and political program that combines accumulated experience, capable individuals for implementation, and those who can bear responsibility, leadership, and loyalty.
We categorically reject any shortcomings against our people in all provinces, whether from our own ranks or others. Ceasing the waste of time and neglecting opportunities is paramount. Our vision is for a robust local government aligned with its political coalition, accountable through its legislative and oversight council members. We demand competence and integrity in its executive management, and clarity in its service and developmental program in terms of capability and accomplishments.
Sixth: Empowering the Youth
Our commitments, plans, programs, and projects for empowering the youth, elites, and talents at both local and central levels are comprehensive, ongoing, and will persist as top priorities. Education, training, and empowerment of the youth are progressive and civilized goals receiving substantial attention from the NSPA. We are dedicated to realizing these objectives within the provincial councils and local governments, Allah’s willing.
Seventh: Combating Corruption, Drugs, and Organized Crime
The stability of our noble families requires collective efforts to combat corruption and deviations in all their forms. Detailed plans within our electoral program outline our strategies in this regard.
Eighth: Attention to All Segments of Society
Our detailed and scientific vision for the care of all societal segments, including retirees, teachers, university graduates, athletes, military personnel, and professionals, is guided by a clear and scientific approach. Tailored plans for each segment will be implemented in the provincial councils, Allah’s willing.
We collaborate with our national partners to build a prosperous future for our country and provide comprehensive service to our people in secure, stable, and thriving provinces. This is made possible through competent candidates with clean hands, strong capabilities, and hearts devoted to goodness and construction. They have united, risen to serve their people, and received the people's trust. The people expect unwavering diligence, Allah’s willing.
Amidst the ongoing war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, we cannot overlook the Palestinian cause, which remains an open wound in the conscience of the Arab and Islamic nations and the global community. The Zionist entity's relentless aggression must come to an end. Their persistence will meet a severe conclusion. The wound of dignity must eventually heal, and justice will return to its rightful owners.
The international community calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Even those supporting the Israeli entity caution against further escalation. However, Israeli arrogance refuses to heed calls for peace, de-escalation, and dialogue. They persist in heinous acts, revealing a vengeful nature void of humanity.
Our solidarity with the Palestinian people is deep-rooted and firmly established in the consciousness of our people. We do not expect anyone to surpass that because it is a matter of right and dignity.
The positive actions of the highest religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Sistani, and the efforts of the Sudanese government, and political, social, and media institutions express this solidarity responsibly, consciously, and aware of the region's events.
Everyone should support the decision of the Iraqi government, as it is the legitimate representative of the Iraqi people and responsible for expressing Iraq's position on the rightful and legitimate Palestinian cause.
Respectful greetings and pride to our resistance brothers against the Israeli occupation on all fronts.
May mercy and eternity be upon the martyrs, and blessings to the patient and content among our people in steadfast Gaza.
Salutations of respect and gratitude to the martyrs of Iraq from our people, brave armed forces, popular mobilization, and the leaders of victory, especially the martyrs of Al-Sadr, the martyr of the Altar (Shaheed Al-Mihrab), and Aziz Al-Iraq.
May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
