Who We Are

Afrabia Center for Afro-Iraqi Elites

A think tank and research and civilizational institution dedicated to building knowledge-based and institutional bridges between Iraq and the African continent, while developing avenues of cooperation among academic, intellectual, cultural, and social elites. Its work is grounded in the belief that knowledge, dialogue, and institutional exchange are fundamental pillars for understanding the transformations taking place within societies and for formulating more informed and sustainable responses to them.

The Center does not view the relationship between Iraq and Africa as circumstantial or as a limited sphere of cultural exchange. Rather, it sees it as a field with considerable potential for institutional development in research, education, culture, development, and the exchange of expertise. From this perspective, it seeks to provide an environment that brings together researchers, experts, and emerging elites, enabling them to produce and exchange knowledge and develop joint projects that respond to the needs of societies and their changing challenges.

First: Establishment and Launch

The Center was established at the beginning of 2026, under the sound vision and generous support of His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbala’i (may his honor endure), the religious authority overseeing the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein, and Mr. Hassan Rashid al-Abayji (may his success endure), Secretary-General of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein. This followed the letter issued by the Office of the esteemed Secretary-General, No. (28029), dated 15 Ramadan 1447 AH, corresponding to 5 March 2026, thereby marking the official launch of this knowledge-based institution under the auspices of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein.

The Center was established in response to the need for a specialized platform that brings together academic expertise, institutional engagement, and knowledge-based work, while providing an organized framework for interaction among researchers and elites from Iraq and African countries. In this capacity, the Center works to translate shared interests into actionable programs and projects in the fields of African studies, academic exchange, capacity building, foresight, digital transformation, and civilizational dialogue.

The name “Afrabia” was chosen in reference to the concept associated with the work of Kenyan intellectual Ali A. Mazrui in his treatment of the historical, cultural, and civilizational relations between Africa and the Arab world. The term conveys the possibility of moving beyond traditional geographical boundaries toward a broader understanding of the spaces of interaction between the two regions. Accordingly, the Center takes Iraq and Africa as the principal focus of its work while remaining open to relevant Arab and international partnerships, without restricting its activities to a single geographical area or field of knowledge.

Second: Our Institutional Vision

The Afrabia Center for Afro-Iraqi Elites aspires to build an effective knowledge and institutional network connecting Iraqi and African elites, supporting the production of shared knowledge on common issues and creating opportunities for a new generation of researchers and leaders capable of interpreting regional and international transformations with a critical and independent outlook.

Through this approach, the Center seeks to contribute to building a more systematic and institutional relationship between Iraq and Africa, founded on mutual knowledge, equality, partnership, respect for cultural particularities, and the transformation of shared interests and common ground into practical areas of cooperation.

Third: Whom Do We Address?

The Center primarily targets researchers and academics, postgraduate students, intellectuals, experts, young people, universities and research institutions, and entities concerned with African and international affairs.

It also seeks to establish networks of communication with specialized institutions, organizations, and centers across Africa and the Arab world, facilitating the exchange of expertise and the launch of joint research and training initiatives.

Fourth: What Do We Do?

The Center focuses on a range of interconnected areas, foremost among them:

1. Studies and Research: Preparing studies, research papers, and assessments addressing political, strategic, social, cultural, and developmental issues related to Africa, Iraq, and the relations between them.
2. Capacity Building: Designing training programs, fellowships, and specialized workshops targeting researchers, young people, and emerging professionals.
3. Academic Exchange: Developing partnerships among universities, research centers, and scientific institutions, and encouraging joint research projects.
4. Foresight and Future Studies: Monitoring regional and international transformations affecting the African continent and producing insights that contribute to understanding their future trajectories.
5. Digital Knowledge: Using digital tools, data, and modern technologies to produce, disseminate, and make knowledge accessible to a wider audience.
6. Cultural and Civilizational Dialogue: Providing spaces for dialogue among elites and societies in ways that promote mutual understanding, cooperation, and familiarity while reducing reciprocal stereotypes.

Fifth: How Do We Work?

The Center’s knowledge production is based on an approach grounded in evidence-based research, comparative analysis, foresight, and multidisciplinary cooperation, while maintaining scientific rigor and respecting cultural and intellectual diversity.

The Center also places particular emphasis on translating knowledge and making it accessible through digital media and in the languages relevant to its target audiences. This helps broaden participation in knowledge production and prevents research output from being confined to limited academic circles.

Through this approach, the Center seeks to become an inclusive knowledge platform that does more than produce studies, linking scientific research with training, dialogue, partnerships, and practical initiatives.