Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq

Public Affairs Office

Phoenix Base APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 081105-01

November 05, 2008

Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

DSN:  318-852-1334

IRAQNA:  0770-695-3727

Female Students and Teachers visit the Iraqi Parliament

Parliament Building, Baghdad – On Sunday, students and teachers from the Al Elaff School for Girls participated in a tour of the Iraqi Parliament Building, the Council of Representatives and the U.S. Embassy – Baghdad. The visit was a direct result of a joint effort between CJ1, CJ9, NIAC and the Department of State. The girls attended the Council of Representatives session to see the parliament representatives engage in the democratic process.

The tour started with a pizza lunch at the embassy hosted by Ambassador Adam J. Ereli, Public Affairs Counselor at the United States Embassy - Baghdad. The Ambassador addressed the students in Arabic, emphasizing the importance of education to the future of a country. After lunch, the students proceeded to the Parliament Building and experienced the parliament in session. After the conclusion of the session, the girls had the opportunity to ask questions to Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. He addressed the students, telling them how proud he was of them since they endured hard times for a while, but still had an opportunity to shape the future of Iraq.

The principal of the school stated the purpose for taking the students on the tour was for them to learn the democratic process and give teachers and students the incentive to be motivated and achieve more. She thanked the Ministry of Education for providing new books, programs and an environment conducive to improving academic standards. Lastly, she thanked the Council of Representatives for giving her staff and her students the opportunity to see the government in action.

This visit was a great experience for this future generation of Iraq. The importance of education became the main message all the leaders had for the children.  When asked what she would like to be when she’s older, Saba, one of the students, said she would like to be a lawyer and work on women’s issues. 

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270.