Iraqi ambassador lectures at Judge Advocate General seminar

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour | Feisal Istrabadi, the former ambassador to the Iraqi ministry for foreign affairs, provided a lecture at the 2009 Indiana National Guard Judge Advocate Continuing Education Training Seminar on April 18 in Indianapolis. Istrabad's lecture focused on the Iraqi legal system explaining the differences and similarities with the legal system in the United States.  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

04.23.2009

Story by Spc. Austen Hurt 

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

INDIANAPOLIS - Feisal Istrabadi, former ambassador to the Iraqi ministry for foreign affairs, provided a guest lecture at the 2009 Indiana National Guard Judge Advocate Continuing Education Training Seminar hosted at Joint Force Headquarters here on April 18.

"The goal of the seminar is to educate Judge Advocate General officers about their responsibilities in a deployed setting," said Capt. Kevin Leslie, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate of Indiana. More than 60 participants attended - a mix of active and retired JAG officers, prospective JAG recruits and paralegals.

Istrabadi's lecture focused on the Iraqi legal system so that the attending officers, all practicing lawyers in the United States legal system, can understand the differences and similarities and to offer warning against the mistakes of the past.

"One of the problems encountered ... was failing to recognize that Iraq had its own legal traditions and institutions," said Istrabadi.

He went on to explain that during the early days of U.S. action in Iraq, the assumption that the law was entirely based on Saddam's tyrannical regime caused serious issues. He detailed the history of how Islamic religious law combined with European influence to create Iraq's current legal system.

Also speaking at the seminar was Dr. John Parrish Sprowl, co-director of the Global Health Communication center in the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts. Sprowl spoke about the cultural differences between the U.S. and Iraq and how those hurdles can be overcome.

"I don't think we can find our way out of a problem without talking about it," said Sprowl. "The issue is one of mutual ignorance."

Several other speakers spoke throughout the two-day event, covering topics regarding U.S. operations in Islamic environments, standards of professional conduct and the responsibilities of JAG officers during the mobilization process.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2009
• Date Posted: 04.23.2009 15:23
• Story ID: 32785
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US