Sayyid Al-Hakeem Meets Youth Leaders, Affirms Stability, Development, Youth Empowerment Priority
His Eminence Sayyid Al-Hakeem, Head of the National State Powers’ Alliance, met with a group of youth leaders and elites during the Baghdad Diwan activities on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026. His Eminence extended congratulations on the anniversary of the Prophetic Mission and the Isra and Mi‘raj, explaining that the convergence of these occasions on a single day—despite differing historical dates—carries profound significance: the Mission marked the launch of the divine message, Isra reflected its vast reach, and Mi‘raj represented its ultimate direction toward Allah Almighty.
H.E. underscored the importance of reflecting on the stages Iraq has experienced since 2003, including difficult periods marked by sectarian and ethnic conflict and terrorist targeting of Iraq’s social components, which caused deep harm to the social fabric. H.E. noted that Iraq today enjoys a state of security, social, and political stability—a major achievement realized after a challenging and arduous process.
H.E. highlighted the importance of maintaining balance, explaining that differences in visions and approaches are natural in politics and beyond, and that no aspect of life is ideal. H.E. pointed out that the recent elections produced ten major political forces, a development that facilitates understanding and helps advance decision-making.
H.E. explained that ongoing dialogues within the Coordination Framework aim to reduce error rates and increase success, affirming firm commitment to constitutional timelines, with a direction toward electing the President of the Republic within the constitutional period, followed by the designation of the Prime Minister on the same day.
H.E. renewed emphasis that the foremost priority in the coming phase is services and development, despite financial constraints. H.E. stressed the need to transform Iraq into an attractive environment for investment, stimulate the economy, seek genuine alternatives rather than reliance on a single resource, and adopt clear, diversified, and balanced economic partnerships in line with Iraq’s supreme national interest. H.E. reiterated the call to activate productive sectors, move beyond the rentier-state model, and reduce vulnerability to oil price fluctuations.
H.E. also stressed the importance of focusing on Iraq’s higher interests and moving beyond the era of slogans that caused significant harm, while neighboring countries advanced in recovery and development. H.E. affirmed ongoing dialogues to confine weapons to the authority of the Iraqi state—an Iraqi demand first and foremost—calling for resolving this file with dignity, while valuing the role played by factions in combating terrorism and achieving security, alongside the need for political incentives that support the success of this path.
H.E. clarified that economic challenges require difficult measures at the outset, yet such steps lead to fundamental and strategic solutions. H.E. noted that declining oil prices may present an opportunity for broader acceptance of reforms, affirming that the National State Powers’ Alliance assesses opportunities, public gains, and the public interest when determining participation in any government.
H.E. affirmed that democracy is not an ideal system, yet it remains the best available option, with the alternative being dictatorship and single-opinion rule and the crises they entail. H.E. emphasized that Al-Hikma National Movement has presented and continues to present successful models in youth empowerment, calling for empowering qualified individuals and trusting their capabilities, given the positive impact on supporting this segment, while also stressing the importance of governance and modern technology in improving service delivery.
