Iraq launches Ramadan series to promote global religious knowledge

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi National Centre for Culture, Media and Arts unveiled an ambitious new initiative ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, launching a series entitled “Roses and Basil: The Etiquette and Rules of Fasting During Ramadan” in ten major world languages. The programme forms part of the Centre’s extensive cultural and educational agenda for 2026.

Director of the centre Khalid al-Qaisi said, “The first episode of this promising series has been released in English, spoken by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. It contains a fragrant collection of key fatwas and detailed guidance from senior scholars in Iraq and Egypt, addressing questions that fasting Muslims commonly raise each year, especially ahead of and during the holy month.”

First Deputy Director of the Centre Khalid Abdul-Sattar highlighted the breadth of the centre’s 2026 programming.

“Throughout the year, we will deliver a variety of workshops, scientific seminars, lectures, and cultural events, including morning gatherings and evening salons. We will also release a series of educational publications, both digital and print, in close coordination with cultural institutions and associations inside Iraq and abroad,” he said.

The centre’s media head confirmed that upcoming episodes of the “Roses and Basil” series will be published sequentially in Turkish, French, German, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. He added that the initiative reflects the Centre’s esteemed reputation and its strong domestic, regional, and international relationships.

“Our aim is to build cultural bridges, promote a spirit of love and coexistence, and strengthen intellectual and cultural exchange among nations and communities of all ethnicities, faiths, and traditions worldwide,” he said.

The initiative represents one of Iraq’s most ambitious cultural outreach programmes, combining religious education with global accessibility and fostering cross-cultural dialogue as Ramadan approaches.