Recently, the Iraqi parliament approved a law on official holidays, which sparked significant controversy regarding the inclusion of Eid al-Ghadir as a national holiday. This move was met with widespread calls opposing the decision, raising questions about the rights of sects in a multi-religious and multi-sectarian country.
Hanan al-Fatlawi, the head of the Erada Movement, praised the parliamentary decision and stated, "It is important to differentiate between celebrating a religious holiday and imposing a belief. Shiites accept the holidays of other sects and do not describe them as an attempt to impose their beliefs. So why does a debate arise when Shiites demand their right to celebrate their own holiday? Celebrating New Year's Eve, for example, does not change the beliefs of Muslims but is an acknowledgment of the diversity of society and respect for the beliefs of others. Similarly, when our Yazidi or Sabean brothers celebrate their holidays, we congratulate them and rejoice with them, which does not mean that we believe in what they believe… As the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: 'People are of two types: either a brother to you in religion, or a counterpart to you in creation.'
Furthermore, Eid al-Ghadir is a religious celebration for Shiites and does not carry any attempt to impose their beliefs on others. She added, "We must all remember that accepting and celebrating diversity enhances national unity and does not threaten it. Rejecting Eid al-Ghadir as an official holiday under doctrinal pretexts is an illogical stance that fosters division instead of unity. Everyone should understand that recognizing official holidays for different sects is a step towards a more tolerant and respectful society, and I am very happy with the approval of this holiday, which I previously demanded in 2012 and 2016 when voices accused me of sectarianism just for asking for my people's rights, and I thank God who made those who accused me previously adopt the law today."
