Dr Lina Abdullah
Scientific Board Member — Sociology
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About
An independent institution, house of expertise and knowledge and research platform, founded in Baghdad in 2026.
Who we are
The Alrai Alrashid Center for Studies was founded in 2026, at one of the most sensitive and transformative moments in the history of Iraq, the Middle East and the world: a time of accelerating political, security and economic change, shifting balances of power, and overlapping regional and international projects and interests that bear on the region's security and stability and on Iraq's future. Against this changing landscape, there is a clear need for knowledge institutions able to read these changes in depth, understand how they interact, anticipate where they lead, and turn knowledge into insights that help shape decisions and prepare for the future.
The Center was established as a house of expertise and a knowledge and research platform devoted to political, economic, social, security and strategic studies, public opinion polling, training and foresight, while keeping pace with rapid global change, particularly the technological revolution, digital transformation and the age of artificial intelligence.
The Center also seeks to build bridges of communication and dialogue with decision-makers, political institutions, governmental and non-governmental bodies, universities, research centres and civil society organisations, in order to deepen specialised knowledge, support the development of public policy, and serve society, the state and sustainable development in the country.
The Center starts from the conviction that the value of knowledge lies not in producing information alone, but in its ability to become insight, insight to become decision, decision to become action, and action to become lasting impact. It is therefore committed to producing sound strategic knowledge and offering objective analysis and forward-looking insights grounded in the scientific method and guided by the values of wisdom, sound judgement and national responsibility, helping to understand reality, anticipate the future, and reach more effective and far-sighted decisions and public policies.
The Alrai Alrashid Center for Studies is an independent institution registered as a non-governmental organisation with the NGO Directorate of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers under registration number 1CS2608022, with its headquarters in Baghdad.
Vision & mission
Our vision
To create the knowledge that makes decisions, and to build the opinion that shapes the future.
Our mission
To produce sound strategic studies and research in the political, economic, social and security fields, grounded in the scientific method, credibility, objectivity and independence, offering forward-looking insights and practical solutions that help rationalise decision-making and develop society; to strengthen communication with decision-makers and relevant institutions; to explore trends in public opinion; and to build and develop human capacity.
In fulfilling its mission, the Center is guided by four core commitments: truth, the scientific method, service to society, and real-world impact.
Strategic purpose
To contribute to a more aware society, sounder decisions and a more effective state, by using sound scientific knowledge to understand reality and anticipate the future.
From Knowledge.... to Wisdom
Intellectual identity
We believe that sound opinion is born not of impressions but of knowledge; that sound decisions are made not by influence but by science; and that nations rise when knowledge becomes the foundation of policy and strategic thinking becomes an established culture in institutions, society and the state.
Institutional values
- 1Sound judgement
- 2Credibility
- 3Independence
- 4Objectivity
- 5National responsibility
- 6Professionalism
Name and logo
The idea behind the name
The name "Alrai Alrashid" expresses the essence of the institution and its intellectual mission. "Alrai" (opinion) stands for the space of thinking, analysis and a plurality of viewpoints, while "Alrashid" (sound, mature) refers to a balanced, mature opinion grounded in knowledge, awareness and an objective reading of reality. The name reflects the institution's belief that influential opinion is not built on impressions and momentary positions, but is shaped through research, analysis, understanding change and anticipating the future, leading to a more balanced vision able to contribute to decision-making. "Alrai Alrashid" thus embodies the move from merely possessing information to understanding it, from knowledge to sound judgement, and from thinking to impact.
The idea behind the logo
The logo is built on the idea of producing knowledge and creating impact, reflecting the identity of a young political institution that works as a research centre and an intellectual platform offering sound analysis and practical solutions.
The design uses an ascending visual composition that symbolises the growth of awareness, the rise of thought and the transformation of knowledge into impact, while the branching, connected lines express multiple intellectual paths and the bridges built between knowledge, politics and society.
The composition draws, in abstract form, on the open book as a symbol of knowledge and research, on the lighthouse of ideas as a symbol of awareness and vision, and on upward movement as an expression of ambition and looking to the future.
The geometric symmetry of the logo conveys trust, balance and organised institutional work, while its flexible curves give it a modern, youthful character free of traditional rigidity.
The modern Minimal & Geometric visual style gives the identity a contemporary, institutional character and expresses a modern political think tank that moves from knowledge towards sound judgement and impact.
The turquoise colour symbolises clarity of thought, clearness of vision and renewal, reflecting the Center's modern and balanced identity.
Strategic goals
- 1Goal OneRaising knowledge-based awareness by publishing sound studies in the political, economic, social, security and strategic fields, and in foresight.
- 2Goal TwoStrengthening communication and cooperation with political, governmental and security institutions, universities, research centres and civil society organisations concerned with democracy, public opinion and sustainable development.
- 3Goal ThreeBuilding human capacity through specialised training and development programmes in managing political institutions, elections and political empowerment.
- 4Goal FourContributing to a more rational political discourse and a culture of dialogue and understanding that supports peaceful coexistence and community security.
- 5Goal FiveExploring public opinion trends through polls and specialised studies that help improve the political and administrative performance of political and governmental institutions.
- 6Goal SixKeeping pace with global change in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, and applying these technologies to improve institutional performance in Iraq.
Areas of work
Studies and research papers
In-depth studies, policy papers and situation assessments across eight topics.
Polls and surveys
National and local surveys with representative samples and published methodologies.
Institutional consulting
Strategic planning, programme evaluation and options papers for public and private bodies.
Training programmes
Short programmes in research methodology, policy analysis and capacity building.
Organisational structure
General Assembly
Board of DirectorsScientific Board
Executive Director
- Research and Studies Unit
- Polls and Surveys Unit
- Consulting Unit
- Training Unit
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Finance
The General Assembly elects the Board of Directors every three years, and the Board appoints the Executive Director. The Scientific Board gives independent academic advice and does not intervene in day-to-day management.
Board of Directors
The names of the Board members will be published soon.
Scientific Board
The Scientific Board reviews the annual research plan and gives the Center's management independent academic advice, and its members take part in reviewing publications within their specialisations.
Prof. Fadhil Al-Rubaie
Chair of the Scientific Board — Economics
Dr Muna Al-Saadi
Scientific Board Member — Law
Partners
The Center works with universities, research institutions, government bodies and international organisations. The names of funders and the amounts of funding are published in the annual report.
- Partner university
- Partner research institute
- International partner organisation
- Government partner
- Media partner
- Civil society partner