The President Jalal Talabani Foundation officially inaugurated its new office in Baghdad on Monday, a strategic expansion aimed at preserving the political thought and enduring legacy of the late former President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, affectionately known as "Mam Jalal," across the entire country.

The foundation is an independent, non-governmental, and cultural organization established on July 27, 2022. Headquartered in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, the foundation is led by Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Sabir.

Dr. Sabir Details Baghdad’s Role in Advancing Mam Jalal's Legacy 

Sabir, President of the foundation, told Channel8 that they determined Baghdad to be the ideal location for keeping the struggle and path of Mam Jalal alive. 

He noted that establishing a presence in Baghdad is “essential to advancing Mam Jalal's legacy,” as the capital serves as the primary hub housing the central government, ministries, state institutions, political parties, diplomatic missions, and international organizations.

Dr. Sabir: Mam Jalal’s Status Makes Baghdad Presence Essential 

Sabir stressed that the late leader was a unique figure in Iraqi politics, commanding universal consensus across all communities.

He highlighted that because Baghdad served as the primary arena for much of Mam Jalal's life and political struggle, the foundation's active presence in the capital is crucial.

Talabani Foundation Plans Expansion Across All Iraqi Governorates

The president of the foundation revealed that following an initial forum in Najaf, a second event is scheduled at the University of Basra as part of a broader nationwide strategy to open offices across all Iraqi governorates to preserve the enduring legacy and political worldview of Talabani.

Profile: Jalal Talabani, Modern Iraq’s First Kurdish President 

Jalal Talabani (1933–2017) was a prominent Kurdish leader and the first non-Arab President of Iraq, serving from 2005 to 2014. As the Co-Founder and Secretary-General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), he spent over five decades leading the struggle for Kurdish rights and democracy against the Baathist regime. 

Beyond his revolutionary career, he was a skilled lawyer and journalist, renowned for his immense charisma and unique ability to bridge deep political divides.

Talabani passed away at the age of 83 on October 3, 2017, in a Berlin hospital following a long illness and a severe stroke suffered in 2012.