The Imam Hussain Holy Shrine recently welcomed a distinguished Italian media delegation as part of a program organized by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the International Media Center of the Shrine's Media Department. The visit aimed to explore the Shrine’s advanced initiatives in health care, education, and cultural outreach.

As part of their tour, the delegation visited several institutions affiliated with the Shrine, expressing admiration for the remarkable progress made in service delivery, particularly in the health and education sectors.

One of the key stops was the Imam Hadi Center (peace be upon him), operated by the Health and Medical Education Authority of the Holy Shrine. Italian journalists Cristina Messori and Rossella Fabiani were among the delegation members who toured the facility. They received a detailed briefing on the center’s operations and the modern medical technologies in use, along with visits to various specialized departments.

Dr. Saleh Al-Jaberi, Director of the Imam Hadi Center, emphasized the significance of the visit in an interview with the Shrine’s official media:

“This visit is a valuable opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Shrine in advancing the health sector through its specialized institutions.”

He added, “We discussed ways to strengthen media cooperation to convey an accurate image of the high-quality health services available in Iraq and the humanitarian role of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine in delivering patient care according to global standards.”

The delegation also visited Al-Zahraa University for Women, another institution affiliated with the Shrine, where they toured academic departments and reviewed the university’s educational programs.

A university statement noted that the visit was accompanied by Mohsen Abdul Ali Hashim, Assistant Director of Media at the Tourism Authority, and aimed to introduce the delegation to the university’s academic mission and the environment of religious and cultural coexistence among students from various sects and backgrounds.

The broader tour also included several religious and cultural sites across Iraq, with a focus on interfaith dialogue, countering extremism, promoting coexistence and peace, and rejecting all forms of discrimination.

This international visit underscores the growing recognition of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine’s all-inclusive approach to development. Through its commitment to humanitarian, educational, and healthcare services, the Shrine presents a powerful model of Islam’s civilizational message—one rooted in service to humanity beyond boundaries of race or religion.

Falah Hassan Ghali