President Jalal Talabani: The First President of Iraq from the Kurdish Nation, 21 Years Since His Election

President Mam Jalal assumed the presidency of the Republic of Iraq on April 6, 2005, after being elected by the Iraqi Council of Representatives. Today marks 21 years since that historic day.

From Peshmerga to President, President Mam Jalal became the first Kurdish politician in Iraq's history to assume the presidency of the country, helping to advance the goals of the Kurdish people. He was the first elected President of the Republic by the Iraqi Council of Representatives in Iraq's history, within the framework of Iraq's new constitution.

He was bestowed with the title "Samam al-Aman" ( Safety Valve). Due to his competence, wise leadership, and commitment to peace and fraternity among the political parties in Iraq, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, the supreme authority of the Shiites, bestowed upon President Mam Jalal the title "Samam al-Aman."

Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, wrote in his memoirs about President Mam Jalal: "His absence cannot be filled in Iraq, because with his experience and intellectual maturity, he was a source of goodness for the peoples of Iraq and brought everyone together around the dialogue table. President Mam Jalal's absence cannot be filled in Iraq in any way, because he had a realistic view of situations, which made leaders at home and abroad his friends, and thus he attracted the attention of leaders to himself."

Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir also said: "On the anniversary of Mam Jalal's election as the first Kurdish President of the Republic, and after his passing, there is no leader who has been as politically influential as President Mam Jalal or who has played such an important role in Iraq and the region. President Mam Jalal truly was the 'Safety Valve,' not only for the Kurds but for all of Iraq. He was worthy of maintaining the balance between the components of Iraq and bringing together different views and perspectives, both among friends and foes."

President Mam Jalal's Role in Iraq: After President Mam Jalal was elected as President of the Republic of Iraq, he worked to bring together all the components of Iraq under the umbrella of coexistence. That was a difficult task. The Iraqis highly appreciated that effort, but after his illness, problems arose. However, with his wisdom and unique political approach, he was able to carry out that difficult task. Iraq includes many components, and our views and religions are all different, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Yazidis, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Christians. This is in addition to the Arabs, who are composed of two sects, Sunni and Shia.

The President Jalal Talabani Foundation