Hussein Al-Sadr

Husayn al-Sadr , is an Iraqi Grand Ayatollah who is widely seen as a highly respected and unifying figure that has been called upon to reach across Iraq's ethno-sectarian divides. A Sayyid, he traces his lineage to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, through the seventh Shia Imam, Musa al-Kadhim. He is a native of, and is currently residing in Kadhimiya, Baghdad.

He is the great-grandson of Ismail al-Sadr through his son Haydar al-Sadr, the latter of whom is also the father of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr.

Early life Husayn Ismail Haydar Ismail al-Sadr was born in Kadhimiya, Iraq, to a family of notable religious scholars. He spent his early years being schooled by his father, the prominent scholar Ismail Al-Sadr (son of Haydar al-Sadr) in the studies of Arabic language, and Quranic interpretation while simultaneously pursuing more conventional primary and secondary schooling. Upon completing these, Al-Sadr enrolled in the prestigious College of Jurisprudence in Najaf, where he was taught by his iconic uncle Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr.

Persecution Following the assassination of his uncle Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr by the Ba’athist regime in 1980, Husayn Al-Sadr was subject to constant harassment at the hands of the Iraqi security forces. Having suffered horrendous torture and a prolonged house arrest because of his association with his uncle, despite he himself being a politically passive figure. It is thought that the Ayatollah was arrested 18 times, often being “hung by his feet for hours from a fan-like construction that continuously rotated”. The injuries sustained during these lengthy detainments have left the Ayatollah with ailments he suffers from to this day.

Philanthropy Many of Ayatollah Husayn al-Sadr's recent efforts have been directed at philanthropic projects. Having already established an impressive orphanage in his hometown of Kadhimiya, the Ayatollah has since directed his attention to a wide-ranging list of development programmes. Starting with a network of cultural and vocational training centres named after his late uncle and teacher Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr, the Ayatollah then established a similar network of centres aimed at empowering Iraqi women, whose position in society had declined a great deal in the sanctions years. Al-Sadr's portfolio of projects now includes dozens of schools, community health clinics and training centres that seek to operate at the most fundamental, grass-roots of Iraqi society.

The Baghdad Religious Accords The issue of reconciliation and dialogue between Iraq's different religious and ethnic communities has featured heavily in the Ayatollah's recent efforts. On the 24th of February 2004, he hosted the Baghdad Religious Accord with Canon Andrew White, "The Vicar of Baghdad", an agreement reached between 39 representatives of Iraq's different communities, efforts representing “the first time in the country’s history [that] Iraq’s leaders had agreed to work together”.

The Foundation was established following the “People of Iraq Conference”, which took place in Baghdad in May 2006 as a response to the spiralling sectarian bloodshed that was tearing up Iraq's communities. The Humanitarian Dialogue Foundation sought to embody the key tenets of understanding and peaceful coexistence that the conference concluded with, including:

The sincere call for the unity of Iraqis, starting a new page of tolerance and respect between all Iraqi sects and ethnicities without any marginalisation or prejudice; The rejection all forms of sectarianism and extremism. Iraqis should work together with a unified spirit; The belief that Iraq comes before any other religious, ethnic, confessional or political consideration; The importance of true national reconciliation.

The Humanitarian Dialogue Foundation seeks to create conditions conducive to the development of Iraq’s emerging civil society, which has endured decades of authoritarian rule, war and international sanctions.

The Foundation’s activities in Iraq have primarily focused on fostering an environment for reconciliation, with the aim of alleviating the suffering, poverty and distress experienced by Iraqis. It has also worked to build and maintain social cohesion and trust both within and between communities. This objective is particularly important in the prevailing climate of cynicism, fear and distrust that has affected Iraqi society and become a significant obstacle to future peace and prosperity.

The Humanitarian Dialogue Foundation has expanded its projects internationally, including a cultural centre it opened in London in 2010, with further centres planned in other cities. The Foundation states that its aim is to present aspects of Iraqi culture and heritage alongside more widely reported representations of the country's recent history. Its programming includes seminars, film screenings, conferences, and exhibitions.

The Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation In 2003, Ayatollah's relentless efforts to foster peace and reconciliation in Iraq led to him being awarded the Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation.