Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Zuhair Sharba

Zuhair Sharba, President of the Najaf Chamber of Commerce, arrived in Minneapolis on Thursday, November 4. Mr. Sharba is in Minneapolis to meet with local government and business professionals about expanding trade between Minnesota and Najaf, Iraq.

Mr. Sharba was a member of the first official delegation from Najaf to Minneapolis in September of 2009 after the two cities became official Sister Cities in July of 2009. Since the beginning of that relationship, Minneapolis has welcomed multiple delegations from Najaf, including artists, business professionals, academics, and individuals injured by the war coming for medical treatment. A mental health professional from Minneapolis traveled to Najaf in January, 2010 to conduct trainings on identifying and treating mental health needs in a post-war context and a team of academics from Augsburg College plans to visit Najaf in January, 2011.

Mr. Sharba’s current visit builds on the relationships and trust established during previous delegation exchanges and will lay the ground for increased trade and business between the two cities. Najaf is a growing economic and cultural center in southern Iraq and many Minnesotan businesses have expressed interest in working there. The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) in Minneapolis and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT) in Najaf are facilitating Mr. Sharba’s visit as an Iraqi-led trade mission and effort to promote the economic recovery of Iraq.

As President Obama holds high-level meetings to expand US trade and business in Asia, IARP is working at the local level to build economic ties that promote not only business but peaceful relationships. Mr. Sharba’s trip will expand economic opportunity for both Iraqis and Americans, but it is also part of a larger relationship growing between the people of Minneapolis and Najaf.

If you would like to inquire about a meeting with Mr. Sharba, please contact Luke Wilcox at luke@reconciliationproject.org.

Updating...

A commentary piece written by Sami Rasouli, Director of IARP’s partner organization the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, appeared in the Star Tribune on February 22, 2010. In the commentary, Sami writes, “In January, I returned to Iraq. I left Minneapolis with thanks for Americans’ commitment to peace and their generous spirit. I left, also, with a plea: Let us remember the people of my other homeland, Iraq. Let us remember our brothers and sisters.” To read the whole piece, click here.

After two weeks in their new Sister City of Minneapolis, 13 Iraqi delegates from Najaf departed on October 2 to head home. The delegates had a busy, productive time in the Twin Cities, meeting with hundreds of educators, business and nonprofit professionals, government officials, and Twin Cities residents. The delegates look forward to future visits and exchanges with Minneapolitans and Americans.

Sami Rasouli, Director of Muslim Peacemaker Teams, and Al Nettles, IARP Board Member, at the Cornucopia Art Center for the Iraqi Art Exhibition

One delegate, Dr. Asaad Al-Janabi, told us, “We are not here on vacation. We are here on a mission to tell Americans about life in Iraq and to work for closer relationships in the future.” Another delegate, Sameera Al-Halawi, said, “I am taking you all home in my heart.”

For more information about the delegation visit, please see “Small steps — and a serendipitous encounter — in journey toward peace in Iraq” by Michael Kiesow Moore in the MinnPost, or “Minnesotans help address Iraq’s water crisis, one filtration unit at a time,” by Kathlyn Stone in the TC Daily Planet.

Sami Rasouli, Muslim Peacemaker Teams Director and leader of the Iraqi delegation from Najaf, will remain in the U.S. for the next couple of months and will be available for speaking engagements. To schedule Sami for an engagement, please contact Marie Braun.

THE MPLS-NAJAF SISTER CITY

COMMITTEE INVITE YOU TO:

Arab Night

A celebration of the sister city relationship

between Najaf, Iraq and Minneapolis, Minnesota,

hosted by the visiting delegation from Najaf and

featuring:

Live Middle Eastern

Music

Catering by Big Marina’s Grill & Deli

St. Joan of Arc Choir

Iraqi Art by Najaf Artists via IARP

& More!

Thursday, SEPT 24th 2009. 7pm-9pm.

St. Joan of Arc Church Gym.

4537 3rd Ave S. Mpls, MN 55419.

$8 suggested donation.