March 11, 2025
Mahmut M. Özdil, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF), evaluated education cooperation activities in Baghdad and Erbil during his visit to Iraq. Özdil participated in iftar programs and held meetings with Iraqi officials, stating that the collaborations in education would continue to grow.
Meaningful Iftar Program in Baghdad
TMF organized an iftar program in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, with the participation of important figures. The program was attended by Mahmut M. Özdil, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation, along with Hamid Gızzi, Secretary General of the Iraqi Cabinet, Iraqi political party representatives, officials from the Ministry of Education of Iraq, personnel from the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad, and representatives from the Turkmen community.
At the opening of the iftar program, the Quran was recited, and a video introducing the activities of the TMF was presented. In his speech, Özdil stated that they felt at home in Iraq, which they consider their second homeland, and expressed his satisfaction with the TMF's educational activities in Iraq. "I am deeply impressed by the progress of our schools. When the sacrifices of our parents and the efforts of our students come together, great successes emerge. I thank everyone who contributed to this success," he said.
Fahrettin Keskin, TMF's representative in Iraq, reminded that they provide educational services to more than 50,000 students in 55 countries and noted that the first TMF school in Iraq was opened in Erbil, with educational institutions also in Baghdad and Kirkuk. He also mentioned that TMF graduates have the opportunity to study at universities in Türkiye.
At the iftar program, Hamid Gızzi, Secretary General of the Iraqi Cabinet, thanked the school management and teachers as a parent whose child attends TMF schools. Fehim Çetin, the Turkish Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad, emphasized that the activities of the Maarif Foundation in Iraq represent Türkiye in the best possible way and contribute to strengthening the relations between the two countries.
After the iftar program, an art exhibition featuring paintings created by TMF students was visited.
Message of Educational Cooperation in Erbil
After the Baghdad program, Özdil traveled to Erbil, where he attended an iftar program at the International Maarif Erbil Schools. The program was attended by Erman Topçu, Türkiye's Consul General in Erbil, Sefin Dizayi, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Aydın Maruf, KRG Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and a member of the Iraq Turkmen Front Executive Committee, Erbil Governor Ümit Hoşnav, and many other officials.
In his speech, Özdil emphasized that Erbil holds a special place for the TMF, stating, "We opened our first school in Erbil in 2018, and since then, we have been striving to support the young people here in preparing for their future. Cooperation in education between the KRG and Türkiye will continue to grow." He also shared that TMF is preparing to open a second campus in Erbil and aims to open Maarif Schools in Mosul and Basra.
Erman Topçu, the Turkish Consul General in Erbil, emphasized that the Maarif Foundation is a successful institution that adopts Türkiye's universal principles in education, stating, "We will continue to support the activities of the Maarif Foundation."
During Özdil's meetings in Erbil, discussions were held with KRG President Neçirvan Barzani, the KRG Minister of Education, and other officials. A statement from the KRG Presidency indicated that Barzani fully supports the projects of the Turkish Maarif Foundation and emphasized the importance of benefiting from Türkiye's successful educational practices.
Educational Investments in Iraq Will Continue
Özdil stated that they aim to increase educational investments across Iraq and plan to open more TMF schools in additional cities to reach more young people. "We will continue to invest in the future of Iraqi youth," said Özdil, emphasizing that TMF has become one of the five most widespread international school networks in the world.
