WCC NEWS: Zoroastrian delegation visits WCC, expresses appreciation for work in Iraq

A delegation from Iraq, including representatives of Zoroastrian religious communities, visited the World Council of Churches (WCC), expressing appreciation for the ways in which the WCC continues to promote inclusive citizenship in Iraq. Visit of representatives of the Zoroastrian community of Iraq, 28 November 2024. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 03 December 2024 The delegation, also attending UN meetings while in Geneva, discussed with the WCC their ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable peace through justice and inclusive citizenship in Iraq. The WCC successfully completed a project to revise national educational curricula, promoting inclusive education and pedagogy. The collaboration focused on freedom of religion and belief in Iraq. Visit of representatives of the Zoroastrian community of Iraq, 28 November 2024. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC The WCC and the delegation discussed strategic plans to continue impactful work in the region, promoting peace, justice, and inclusive citizenship. Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, said: “The programme in Iraq is an example how the WCC serves as a catalyst for social cohesion, especially for communities recovering from conflict. We can learn from it for similar contexts." Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peace building in the Middle East, said: “Welcoming our friends and partners from Iraq to our offices in Geneva is an opportunity to embody our shared commitment to social cohesion and the pursuit of justice and peace. It also celebrates the rich religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity that flourishes through our shared humanity.” The visiting delegation included: Dr Awat Darya, representative of the Zoroastrian religion in Kurdistan and Iraq; Dr Ali Mousa Al-Mousawi, secretary general of ICRHD International Council for Religion and Humanitarian Dialogue, Yasmeen Abu Hazim, ministry of Labour Qatar, and Azis Kalo, president, Association Culturelle kurde de Geneve. They met with the following WCC staff: Doug Chial, director of the WCC Office of the General Secretariat; Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia; Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of Communication; and Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peace building in the Middle East. WCC continues to promote inclusive citizenship in Iraq | World Council of Churches Visit of representatives of the Zoroastrian community of Iraq, 28 November 2024. Photo:Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland