Sayyid Al-Hakeem Urges Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf’s Elites, Professionals to Foster Optimism and Positivity

In a meeting with the elites and experts of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf province, His Eminence Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakeem, Head of the National State Powers Alliance, addressed the attendees after listening to their comments. H.E. spoke about Iraq’s reality post-2003, highlighting the negative perception that has surrounded the country due to the rise of Ahl Al-Bayt’s (peace be upon them) followers in the political scene. This, according to H.E., made Iraq vulnerable to terrorism in all its forms, while media campaigns exaggerated the negatives and demonized the country, dismissing its achievements. H.E. pointed out that while corruption is often generalized, the national budgets reveal that a significant portion is allocated to pay debts and fulfill international commitments, despite increased operational costs.
H.E. noted that Iraq has shifted from merely reacting to terrorism to taking proactive measures, becoming more effective in addressing the threat. H.E. described the State Administration Coalition as an example of political stability, managing differences and keeping them within a political context. H.E. emphasized that the regular meetings between leaders from all factions have become a norm, signaling a positive change from the past, when such gatherings were rare and contentious.
H.E. observed that Iraq has made significant progress in fostering societal harmony, with a marked reduction in sectarian rhetoric. Additionally, the public is seeing real improvements in services, infrastructure, and economic sectors, such as industry, agriculture, and housing. H.E. stressed the importance of creating an investment-friendly environment by ensuring security, promoting a culture of investment, and simplifying administrative and legal procedures, citing the construction of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf International Airport as an example of overcoming challenges.
H.E. highlighted Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf’s potential to become an investment hub due to its resources in tourism, agriculture, and industry, which could attract investors both locally and internationally. These qualities, H.E. suggested, could be replicated across Iraq.
H.E. also called for the development of Iraq’s technology sector, emphasizing its potential to contribute significantly to the national budget. H.E. urged elites to promote a positive image by presenting realistic, data-backed achievements. H.E. also noted that focusing on the positives aligns with the Qur'anic approach.
H.E. stressed the importance of aligning university outputs with the job market, called for a population census to support sustainable development plans, and advocated for automation and artificial intelligence in service delivery. H.E. suggested that Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf could be a model for the entire nation in these areas.
Furthermore, H.E. encouraged continued support for local products and the ongoing political, media, and humanitarian efforts for Lebanon and Palestine. H.E. also called for empowering the youth, noting that Al-Hikma National Movement has been a pioneer in providing youth with opportunities both within the movement and in government. H.E. concluded by emphasizing that investing in human capital is the most valuable form of investment.