Iraqi Presidency: Mam Jalal Strived to Secure Freedom for All Iraqi Communities

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and other officials at President Mam Jalal memorial service.

Under the auspices of President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the Presidency of the Republic held a solemn memorial ceremony at Al-Salam Palace in Baghdad on Friday, 3 October 2025,  to mark the eighth anniversary of the passing of President Mam Jalal or President Jalal Talabani, honouring his national contributions and enduring political legacy.

Today, 3 October 2025, marks eight years since the passing of President Mam Jalal, Iraq’s first Kurdish and democratically elected President, and Secretary-General of the PUK, who passed away on 3 October 2017 following a period of illness.

In his keynote address, President Rashid emphasised that the remembrance of Mam Jalal is not merely an annual commemoration, but a lasting call to action — a reminder of the responsibility to uphold Iraq’s unity, independence, and sovereignty, and to preserve the values for which he so faithfully struggled.

The President underscored that President Talabani devoted his life to resisting dictatorship and oppression, and to securing freedom and dignity for all Iraqis — Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians, Yazidis, and Mandaeans alike. His vision for a federal Iraq built upon equality, coexistence, and mutual respect continues to serve as a guiding light for the nation’s democratic journey.

The ceremony was attended by senior advisers, directors-general, and staff of the Presidency of the Republic, who gathered to honour a leader remembered as a symbol of dialogue, reconciliation, and national unity.

Full Text of President Rashid’s Speech
 
We gather today in solemn remembrance to honour the life and legacy of a towering national leader — President Jalal Talabani, Mam Jalal — whose wisdom, dedication, and sacrifice left an enduring mark on Iraq’s modern history and on the struggle of our people for freedom, dignity, and justice.

Though eight years have passed since his departure, his spirit and legacy remain deeply alive in the heart of our nation. His example continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the noble meaning of sacrifice and of our sacred duty to serve Iraq with loyalty and devotion. The commemoration of Mam Jalal is not simply an anniversary; it is a living call to action — a reminder to safeguard Iraq’s unity and to uphold the principles of liberty, sovereignty, and democracy.

Mam Jalal dedicated his life to resisting dictatorship and tyranny. He worked tirelessly for freedom and dignity, not for one community alone, but for all Iraqis — Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians, Yazidis, and Mandaeans. His dream was of a federal Iraq where all citizens live in equality and mutual respect. That vision was realised through immense sacrifice, and today it is our solemn responsibility to preserve it, to strengthen it, and to carry it forward for future generations.

For this, he was revered and respected by all. As the Supreme Religious Authority so rightly described, Mam Jalal was “the safety valve of Iraq”, a statesman devoted to dialogue, reconciliation, and unity, who played a decisive role in guiding the country through some of its most difficult crises.

Today, as we pay tribute to this great leader, we renew our pledge to follow the path he set before us. We remain committed to carrying the banner of Iraq high, to upholding the values he embodied throughout his life, and to working together to ensure that peace, stability, and prosperity are achieved through national unity and collective endeavour.

Let us, with loyalty and devotion to our beloved homeland, reaffirm our commitment to safeguard Mam Jalal’s noble legacy and to continue the national journey he so faithfully began.

May God bless the memory of President Jalal Talabani, grant him eternal peace, and inspire us all with the strength and determination to remain true to his vision — so that his name and legacy endure forever in the history of our people.
 


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