In response to the alarming rise in suicide rates among Iraqi youth, the Najaf al-Ashraf Center for Strategic Studies—an institution affiliated with the religious authority in the holy city of Najaf—held a social forum to raise awareness about this crisis. Simultaneously, the center launched a film training course, offering a new avenue for youth development and creative growth.

The forum, titled “The Cry for Life: Suicide as a Model—An Analysis of Causes and Solutions”, was organized by the Center’s Development and Empowerment Department and featured a keynote by Ms. Asmaa al-Talaqani, a human development consultant. Held under the slogan “A human being fights to live, not to die by suicide,” the session aimed to explore the psychological and social roots of the issue and present practical solutions for prevention.

Alongside this initiative, the center also launched the first training course titled “Make Your First Film”, under the supervision of film director Mustafa al-Shawki and in collaboration with the Masar Art Association. This program offers a unique opportunity for youth in Najaf province to take professional steps into the world of filmmaking.