Raleigh Officials Host “American Civics Lesson” With Iraqi Leaders

The nine visitors from the Anbar province of Iraq are visiting under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The objective of the tour is to foster dialogue and enhance tolerance of diverse faiths in Iraq, according to the State Department.

The group from Iraq recently established a center to address extremist ideology, public freedom in Islam, the moderate criteria for fatwas, respecting people’s rights and the Muslim role in reform.

Ms. McFarlane and Mr. Stephenson answered questioned posed during the hour-long meeting through two interpreters regarding how North Carolina ’s municipal governments are structured; what the positions of leadership are; how these positions are filled; and budgeting questions.