Mowaffak al-Rubaie

Rubaie is closely connected to the widely discredited opposition leader Ahmed Chalabi, both of whom are relatively secular but joined the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA). He is also close to Chalabi's nephew Ali Allawi, another secular UIA man, who gives Rubaie high praise in his book The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace (2007).

However, Rubaie has made many enemies in Iraq since he returned in 2003. He has great access, both with American politicians and with Iraqi figures, particularly Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In February 2004, he reported that Sistani had survived an assassination attempt.

On the other hand, those who support Rubaie would counter that he has played an important role in various negotiations, especially those between the Iraqi government and Moqtada al-Sadr during the siege of Najaf in 2004.[5]

In May, 2007, he made his first trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby leading Democratic critics of the war against withdrawing troops, primarily Senator Carl Levin and Representative John P. Murtha. al-Rubaie argued that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was making progress in stabilizing Iraq and that the United States should be patient as Iraqis make steady progress. He also met with supporters of the war, including Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.[6]

Rubaie was dropped as National Security Advisor in June 2009. Shortly after, al-Rubaie announced the formation of a new political party - the Center Party or al-Wasat. It was speculated that this party would form an alliance with the United Iraqi Alliance, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq and Ahmad Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress to contest the Iraqi legislative election in January 2010. [7]

Dr. Mowaffak Al Rubaie

Former National Security Adviser & MP in Iraq

MBChB from Baghdad Medical School 1972 and FRCP Neurology UK 1980.

He practiced Medicine for four decades both in Iraq and the UK

Joined the Dawa Party from 1966 until 1996

Since 1999, he campaigned for fighting sectarianism in Iraq and has conducted wide-scale meetings and discussions with hundreds of Iraqi personages.

This effort resulted in the "Declaration of the Shia of Iraq."

Founded and operated several entrepreneurial commercial firms in the UK 1980-2003

Member of the Iraqi Governing Council 2003-2004

National Security Advisor for three Prime Ministers 2004-2009

Member of Parliament 2009-2010 & 2014-2018

Authored five books & hundreds of articles covering human rights, reconciliation, Federalism, modern understanding of Islam; and respect for moderation, rejection of extremism, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. He worked hard on democracy and anti-sectarianism; and he campaigned vigorously for the rule of law, community rights, and justice in Iraq.

He took part in tens of international conferences inside and outside the Arab countries meeting many of the world’s leaders.

Awarded in 2009 the Peace Prize of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East in recognition of his efforts for respect for human rights and reconciliation in Iraq. Awarded the Dr. Jean Mayer Award for 2012 at The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University Boston, MA

EPIIC INSPIRE Fellow at Tufts University Global Leadership 2012 Senior Statesman in Residence at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts and an INSPIRE Fellow at the Institute for Global Leadership Tufts University from 2013. He maintained an ongoing relationship with The Fletcher School.

Dr Mowaffak al Rubaie Baghdad, Iraq +964 7802 033 330 +44 7889 969 383

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Dr. Mowaffak AI Rubaie MB,ChB. MRCP(UK)

Family background Reared and educated in Baghdad; son of a well-established and diverse Muslim family (Shia and Sunni) from South and North Iraq.

Education Following primary and secondary education, graduated with a degree (MD) in medicine from the Baghdad Medical School. Continued graduate education in the United Kingdom culminating in a doctorate in neurology and membership in the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK).

Professional experience During the early professional career stages, practiced internal medicine in a number of Iraqi hospitals; and subsequently neurology in UK medical establishments. Founded and operated several entrepreneurial commercial firms supporting the needs of the UK medical establishment the National Health Services.

Political activism and Government service Became politically active as a young man, ardently espousing human rights, democracy, and a free market economy. Detained and tortured three times (1973, 1976, 1978-1979) by the Ba’ath Government; tried in absentia and sentenced to death in Iraq during the Saddam era; emigrated to the United Kingdom. Continued political activism in the UK on behalf of a democratic Iraq in opposition to the Saddam Hussein regime; advocated a Federal approach for Iraq appropriate to its multi-religious, multi-ethnic nature. Rejected offers from the Saddam Government of amnesty, financial rewards, and a cabinet post. Returned to Iraq in 2003 and became a member of the Iraqi Governing Council from its foundation on 13 July 2003 until its dissolution at the disestablishment of the Coalition Provisional Authority in May 2004. Appointed in March 2004 as the National Security Advisor to the Iraqi Executive; served in that capacity with the Prime Ministers in the Interim Government, the Transitional Government, and the Constitutional Government until April 2009. Created and managed the Iraqi national security decision making and crisis management systems; developed and promulgated the Iraqi National Security Strategy in 2007 (first in the region). Facilitated and managed national and international reconciliation and human rights initiatives on behalf of all elements in Iraqi society, including the establishment of formal and informal councils to carry out these initiatives. Chaired Iraqi Governmental committees governing the establishment and empowerment of Iraqi Security Forces and the transition of responsibility to them from the Coalition’s Multinational Forces. Appointed to a seat in the Council of Representatives (Parliament) for the period 2009-2010. Founded a centrist, nonsectarian, nonpartisan, political movement (The Wasat) in 2009 that supports technically competent candidates for political elective positions at all levels of Iraqi Government.

Publications Maintains a special relationship to religious leaders and scholars; personally authorized by the late Imam Al Sadr to compose and publish his political declarations entitled “Ahrar Al Iraq” (the free people of Iraq). Authored five books about Iraq and democracy in the Middle East. Authored hundreds of articles in the Arabic and English languages covering human rights, reconciliation, Federalism in Iraq, a modern understanding of Islam; and respect for moderation and human rights, and rejection of extremism and terrorism.

Honors Secretary General of the International Islamic Council. Honorary President of the College of the Humanities, London. Awarded in 2009 the Peace Prize of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East in recognition of his efforts for respect for human rights and reconciliation in Iraq. Awarded the Dr. Jean Mayer Award for 2012 at The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University Boston EPIIC INSPIRE Fellow at Tufts University Global Leadership 2012 Senior Statesman in Residence at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts and an INSPIRE Fellow at the Institute for Global Leadership Tufts University from 2013.

Contact Details

Tel: + 964 7802 033330 Iraq + 44 7889 969 383 UK

Address 2: 80 Cornish Street, Kademia, Baghdad, Iraq Republic

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