Latest news with #Al-Fahd
Shafaq News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi government stalling parliament to gain election advantage, MP says
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi government is deliberately stalling parliamentary sessions to block sensitive legislation, an Iraqi lawmaker said on Monday. Independent MP Haitham al-Fahd told Shafaq News that the suspension of parliamentary activity stems from an attempt to 'sidestep the PMF law to prevent tensions with the United States and postpone the salary scale reform due to budget constraints.' Al-Fahd further claimed that despite Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani publicly prioritizing electoral law amendments, the executive branch is actively resisting those changes. 'This legislative deadlock only benefits the current administration as it heads into the next elections.'
Shafaq News
16-02-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Al-Faruq Mosque & Minaret: Living testament to Islamic architecture at risk
Shafaq News/ Iraq's historic Al-Faruq Mosque and its minaret, among the most remarkable archaeological landmarks in Al-Anbar Province, are at risk of collapse due to 'neglect' and environmental factors, prompting authorities to initiate joint efforts for restoration. "The Al-Faruq Minaret, dating back to the Abbasid era, is not only an archaeological monument but also a historical and cultural symbol that reflects the identity of the Hit City and its civilizational heritage," said Mohammed Al-Fahd, a researcher and specialist in Al-Anbar's history, to Shafaq News. "It serves as a living testament to the greatness of Islamic architecture in the region." Al-Fahd emphasized that neglecting the minaret represents "a significant loss to national heritage," stressing the importance of "saving it from collapse, as this is not only about preserving the structure but also safeguarding the memory for future generations and connecting them to their cultural roots." The researcher also called on the relevant authorities to expedite efforts to save the minaret, noting that "investment in cultural heritage also contributes to enhancing cultural tourism and revitalizing the local economy." Earlier, a meeting in Hit gathered representatives from the Al-Anbar Antiquities Directorate, the Sunni Endowment, and the district mayor to discuss completing the Al-Faruq Minaret restoration. Attendees stressed the need to accelerate the process, create a comprehensive plan to restore the minaret while preserving its heritage, and secure funding and cooperation to ensure swift project completion. Al-Faruq Mosque & Minaret The Al-Faruq Mosque, one of Iraq's historic landmarks, was built during the early Islamic conquest of Iraq in 17 AH/639 CE, under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, and during the conquest of Hit by Muslim commander Al-Harith ibn Yazid al-Qurashi. Constructed from stone, the mosque sits on an elevated area with steps leading up to it, crowned by a 25-meter-high minaret with a single cylindrical base coated with lime, which originally served as a watchtower before the Islamic conquest of the city.
Shafaq News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Exclusive: Iraqi ‘temple gods' expected to amend Election Law
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraqi MP Haitham Al-Fahd stated that amending the Parliamentary Election Law depends entirely on agreement among 'temple gods.' Al-Fahd confirmed to Shafaq News that no official proposal for amending the Election Law has been submitted to Parliament or its specialized committees so far, but informal discussions are taking place among political leaders behind closed doors. 'There are political figures pushing to amend the law, and we expect the amendment to happen soon," he said. 'However, the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the temple gods (the political elite), and any modifications will be passed based on their personal and party interests.' Notably, Iraq's Parliament uses the Sainte-Laguë method for seat allocation, a proportional representation system based on the number of votes each list receives. The modified version, with a divisor of 1.7, tends to favor larger parties, making it harder for smaller parties and independents to secure seats. The 2021 parliamentary elections saw larger parties, like the Sadrist Movement, led by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, and the Progress Party, headed by Sunni leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi, dominate. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) emerged as the primary Kurdish party.
