On Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the capital city of Baghdad, the President Jalal Talabani Foundation held a commemorative ceremony under the patronage of His Excellency Nizar Amedi, President of the Republic of Iraq, and with the support of Mr. Qubad Talabani, Head of the Secretariat Bureau of President Mam Jalal, alongside the Events and Ceremonies Department at the Bureau of Qubad Talabani.
The ceremony took place in the presence of H.E. Nizar Amedi, President of the Republic of Iraq; Mr. Qubad Talabani, Head of the Secretariat Bureau of President Mam Jalal; Mr. Ammar al-Hakim, Leader of the National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma); Mr. Mohammad Shia' al-Sudani, former Prime Minister of Iraq; Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Prime Minister of Türkiye; Mr. Haibat al-Halbousi, Speaker of the Council of Representatives; Mr. Nouri al-Maliki; Mr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi; and a gathering of senior officials from the Iraqi Federal Government, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and political leaders from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The event commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by reciter Amer al-Kazemi, followed by a minute of silence in honor of the noble souls of the martyrs. Subsequently, the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performed a musical rendition of the poem "Shawqan Jalal" , authored by the renowned poet Muhammad Mahdi al-Jawahiri.
The ceremony also featured the screening of a documentary highlighting the life of President Mam Jalal and his enduring impact on the political landscapes of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the international arena.
Official addresses were delivered during the event by H.E. President Nizar Amedi; Mr. Haibat al-Halbousi, Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives; Mr. Ammar al-Hakim, Leader of the National Wisdom Movement; Mr. Mohammad Shia' al-Sudani, former Prime Minister of Iraq; and Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Prime Minister of Türkiye.
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Sabir, Chairman of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, delivered a keynote address on behalf of the Foundation and the family of the late President Mam Jalal, stating:
"Today, we gather in the capital, Baghdad, on the ninth anniversary of the passing of President Jalal Talabani. On behalf of the late President's family, we renew our remembrance and loyalty to a national and political figure who possessed a profound presence and left an indelible mark on Iraq’s contemporary history. We recall an experience that did not approach politics as a struggle for positions and titles, but rather as a responsibility in managing diversity, safeguarding the state, and preserving the unity of Iraq."
The Chairman of the Foundation added:
"President Mam Jalal’s extensive political relationships were an integral part of this vision. He possessed an extraordinary ability to engage with diverse Iraqi forces and figures. Furthermore, he established broad Arab, regional, and international relations, grounded in the firm conviction that Iraq must remain active in its surrounding environment, open to its brothers and friends, and capable of building balanced relations that safeguard its interests, sovereignty, and standing."
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Sabir further noted in his speech:
"Therefore, commemorating President Jalal Talabani nine years after his passing should not be confined merely to recalling the milestones of his life or listing the positions he held. Rather, we must bring forth the core of his political vision: faith in Iraq above all, respect for pluralism, the capacity to manage differences, adherence to dialogue, and the building of mutual understandings."
In conclusion, Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Sabir expressed his appreciation:
"In conclusion, on behalf of the family of the late President and the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic for his gracious sponsorship of this ceremony, as well as to all the distinguished attendees for their participation."
Retrospective: Previous Commemorative Ceremonies of President Jalal Talabani’s Passing
Fifth Anniversary (2022)
On October 3, 2022, in the presence of prominent leaders and dignitaries from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the fifth commemorative ceremony marking the passing of President Mam Jalal was held at Saad Abdullah Hall in Erbil.
Sixth Anniversary (2023)
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, under the patronage of Dr. Latif Rashid, former President of the Republic of Iraq, the President Jalal Talabani Foundation organized the sixth commemorative ceremony in Baghdad, attended by Mr. Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Mr. Qubad Talabani, Supervisor of the Secretariat of President Mam Jalal.
Seventh Anniversary (2024)
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, under the supervision of Amb. Dr. Mohammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, the seventh anniversary ceremony was held in the city of Kirkuk. The event was attended by Dr. Latif Jamal Rashid, former President of Iraq; the special representative of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani; Mr. Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the PUK; Mr. Qubad Talabani, Head of the Secretariat Bureau of President Mam Jalal; and numerous governmental and political guests from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Eighth Anniversary (2025)
On Friday, October 3, 2025, the President Jalal Talabani Foundation and the Secretariat Bureau of President Mam Jalal held the eighth anniversary ceremony at the Conference Hall of the University of Sulaimani. The event was supervised by Amb. Dr. Mohammad Sabir and Dr. Kosar Mohammed, President of the University of Sulaimani, in the presence of Mr. Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the PUK; Mr. Qubad Talabani, Head of the Secretariat Bureau of President Mam Jalal; along with diplomats, ambassadors, consuls, senior government officials, and a large public gathering.