Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed Reflects on Her Term as Iraqi First Lady, Future Commitment

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed.

Iraq’s First Lady, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, has reflected on her husband’s term in office, expressing pride in his leadership and outlining her own contributions to humanitarian and social causes.

In a message addressed to the Iraqi people, Ahmed said the period had been marked by significant challenges both domestically and across the region. She praised her husband’s approach to leadership, highlighting his commitment to integrity, responsibility and dialogue.

“In moments of pressure and division, he chose statesmanship over spectacle, and dialogue over confrontation,” she said.

Ahmed noted that much of the President’s work had taken place away from public attention, including efforts to ease tensions, reopen channels of communication and prevent Iraq from being drawn into regional conflicts. She added that these efforts had helped guide the country towards greater stability and progress.

At the same time, she acknowledged that more could have been achieved with stronger unity and cooperation during the term.

Reflecting on her own role, Ahmed said she was particularly proud of contributing to efforts to provide dignified burials for victims of mass graves, supporting the long and complex process of identifying those lost over decades of conflict.

She said: "I am proud to say that I played a role in bringing dignified burials to the victims of mass graves after 25 years, supporting the painstaking work of identifying those lost to the graves that scar our land."

She also highlighted her advocacy for children with special needs, noting that the platform of the First Lady had, for the first time, been used to draw attention to their needs and to other humanitarian causes.

Ahmed underscored her support for Iraqi women, describing them as once being at the forefront of women’s movements in the region, but whose voices have in recent years been marginalised. She expressed hope that her efforts had helped expand opportunities for women’s participation in public life, education and leadership.

She further addressed the evolving role of the Office of the First Lady, describing it as a relatively new and, at times, controversial institution. Despite this, she said the role had enabled her to represent Iraq internationally, including at conferences focused on climate change and humanitarian issues.

In recent years, she added, the office had taken on a more active role in supporting national interests and advancing women’s issues, expressing hope that this would become a lasting development rather than an exception.

Ahmed also paid tribute to her team, praising their dedication and professionalism in supporting the office’s work, often away from public view.

Concluding her message, she reaffirmed her commitment to Iraq and its people, stating that she intends to continue contributing to the country’s future in ways guided by “conscience and conviction”.



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