Press Release
Enough is Enough! Will anyone take heed?!
(Translated)

Another catastrophe has been added to the thousands of catastrophes that have become an integral part of the lives of the bereaved Iraqi people, after a fire broke out in an events hall in the Christian-majority district of Hamdaniya, in Nineveh Governorate, killing more than a hundred people and wounding dozens.

This incident is not the only one, as it was preceded by many incidents, most importantly:

- In 2013, 100 people were dead after the floating Lebanese restaurant in Baghdad sank.

- In March 2019, more than 120 people died and others were missing, in a sinking ferry in Mosul.

- In July 2021, a fire in Al-Hussein Hospital in Dhi Qar Governorate led to the death of about 64 people and the injury of dozens.

- It was followed, in the same year, by the tragic burning of Ibn al-Khatib Hospital in the capital, Baghdad, which led to the death of about 82 people and the injury of dozens as well.

- In addition to the seasonal fires that sweep wheat fields north and south.

In all of these incidents and many others, the Iraqi people did not see any serious measures or real solutions, and the investigations and government measures that followed those incidents did not succeed in preserving the lives of Iraqis and putting an end to the series of loss of life, and the reason for this is the rampant corruption in the country.

This is what Majid Shankali (Chairman of the Health and Environment Committee in the Iraqi Parliament) stated in an interview with Al Jazeera Net: “It is the job of the Civil Defense in Iraq in accordance with the law to periodically inspect commercial facilities, but the interventions of officials and influential people prevent the implementation of the law.” Stressing that "rampant corruption in government institutions is a major cause of what is happening, and that 95% of private and public sector investments completely lack civil defense requirements, including emergency gates, early warning systems, firefighting, and safety conditions."

The results of the investigations resulted in the dismissal of a number of officials in Al-Hamdaniya, and the arrest of the hall director, and this was rejected by the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, Mar Benedict Younan Hanno, according to what was reported by Al-Yaum Newspaper, as he told reporters: “The results of the investigation are completely rejected, and do not reflect the truth of what happened.”

Hanno pointed out that the investigation committee did not take into account the testimonies of eyewitnesses, and demanded that international bodies investigate the tragic incident. He added: "All government investigations attribute the causes of disasters in the country to accidental incidents. We must not remain silent about what is happening," indicating that "exemptions and dismissals may be a result of political liquidations."

O People of Iraq: There is a big difference between those who see power and guardianship as booty, and a path to wealth and affluence, and those who see it as a heavy trust and a great responsibility. Abu Dharr said that he asked Allah’s Messenger (saw) to make him a governor, but he tapped him on his shoulder with his hand and said,

«يا أَبَا ذَرٍّ، إنَّكَ ضَعِيفٌ، وإنَّهَا أَمَانَةُ، وإنَّهَا يَومَ القِيَامَةِ خِزْيٌ وَنَدَامَةٌ، إلَّا مَن أَخَذَهَا بحَقِّهَا، وَأَدَّى الذي عليه فِيهَا»

“You are weak, Abu Dharr, and it is a trust which will be a cause of shame and regret on the day of resurrection except for him who undertakes it as it ought to be undertaken and fulfils his duty in it.” (Narrated by Muslim). Public guardianship is a dangerous matter, and the ruler bears its consequences in this world and the Hereafter. He is responsible for establishing truth and justice among the subjects, and its consequence is loss if he does not take it as it is due, and perform its duties with justice.

This is how the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (saw) understood it. Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, was so afraid of this responsibility that he had to do the inspection himself, and follow up on his governors and workers, and he said his famous saying: “If a goat dies on the shore of the Euphrates in a village, I would be afraid to be asked about it.”

When the sun of the Caliphate set over all Muslim countries, and the Ruwaibidahs ruled over the Ummah, rights were lost, injustice prevailed, chaos increased, and corruption spread.

O Muslims in Iraq and Everywhere: Know that you have no security and no dignity for your blood, except by doing what Allah Almighty has imposed upon you, which is working hard to establish the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood. We have always called upon you to do what honors you, but your inaction has only increased your humiliation, and today. Enough is enough, the torrent has reached its peak, you have no choice but to change your situation by responding to the command of your Lord, for He is your Guardian and will not abandon your deeds.

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا للهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ]

“O believers! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah stands between a person and their heart, and that to Him you will all be gathered.” [Al-Anfal 8:24]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Iraq