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⟦illegible⟧ Republic of Iraq Republic of Iraq IRAQ POSTAGE IRAQ POSTAGE Mr. President of the Jewish Community <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> ⟦line⟧ B A G D A D ⟦line⟧ LEGATION OF SWITZERLAND IN IRAQ Azzouza ⟦illegible⟧
IJA 3712
Correspondence from Baghdadi Jewish Community Including Legal Issues (Marriage, Inheritance, Endowments), Financial Matters, School Administration
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These are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. They contain requests for community records and residency confirmations; wire transfers; correspondence regarding the adoption of Jewish laws in the Diaspora; communication from the Ambassador of Iraq in Rabat regarding Moroccan officials requesting information on laws applicable to the Iraqi Jewish community (customary laws pertaining to marriage, inheritance, etc.); legal agreements for engagement and marriage; requests for marriage confirmations, death certificates; employment separations; lawsuit regarding the management of an endowment; repairs to school buildings; correspondence regarding sending sefarim (Jewish religious books) to New York; letters referencing the Law of Acquisitions, 43/1934; discussions about tearing down or rebuilding a wall; invoices and accounting information from the Ezra Menahem Daniel Sports-Ground Committee; school administration; requests for vaccines; property laws; deeds; the administration of scholarships; announcements about community meetings and ceremonies; requests for food provisions for prisoners during the holidays; and requests for clarification of laws in conflict with the interim constitution of 1958. These documents reflect the Baghdadi Jewish community's name change to the Mosaic community.
AI English Translation, Pages 476-500
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LEGATION OF SWITZERLAND IN IRAQ BAGHDAD, January 30, 1959 Saadun Street 3/1/2, Alwiyah Telephone No 6300 Foreign Interests Ref.: B.72.Fr.43.1.-MJ/k Mr. President of the Israelite Community BAGHDAD Mr. President, I have the honor to refer to your letter T/82/58 of October 13 and to mine of the 23rd of the same month regarding the marriage certificate of the Saleh spouses. I would therefore be grateful if you could send me, as soon as possible, an extract of the marriage certificate of Mr. Moshi SALEH, son of Mr. SALEH and Mrs. Farha SETTY and of Mrs. Suzette TOEG, daughter of Mr. Heskel TOEG and of Mrs. Habiba BAKHOR. This marriage was celebrated in Baghdad on May 25, 1940. Thanking you in advance, I beg you to accept, Mr. President, the assurance of my high consideration. Legation of Switzerland in charge of French interests ⟦illegible signature⟧
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24 MAY ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ .D. 8 MAR 52 ⟦illegible Arabic script⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 8 MAR 52 1952 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧
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The July 14th Festival Committee for the Mosaic Community Date: 6/21/1959 The Honorable Chairman of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews After greetings, You have previously agreed to spend an amount of (750 / -) Dinars for the purpose of participating in the eternal ⟦day⟧ of July 14th celebrations. After studying the subject by our committee, we found that the cost of erecting the victory arch alone is estimated at (450) Dinars, while the amount necessary to organize the festival car trailer (Trailer) and its accessories, including clothing necessary for various activities and other statues, lighting, food, etc... we have estimated at approximately (600) Dinars. Therefore, please make the allocation (1000) Dinars instead of (750) Dinars to enable the committee responsible for organizing this festival to achieve what befits this glorious day. With thanks to you. President Meer Basri A copy thereof to - Presidency of the Mosaic Community Schools Committee Presidency of the Mosaic Community Special Number ⟦illegible⟧ Date ⟦illegible⟧
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Committee for the July 14 Festival of the Mosaic Community ⟦line⟧ Date: 21 / 6 / 1959 Honorable Chairman of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews After greetings, You have previously agreed to spend an amount of (750/-) Dinars for the purpose of participating in the eternal July 14 celebrations And after studying the subject by our committee, we found that the cost of erecting the victory arch alone is estimated at (450) Dinars, while the amount necessary to organize the festival trailer car and its accessories, including the clothing necessary for various activities and other statues, lighting, food, etc... we have estimated it at approximately (600) Dinars, therefore we request to make the allocation (1000) Dinars instead of (750) Dinars to enable the committee responsible for organizing this festival to accomplish what is worthy of this glorious day, and thank you. The President Meer Basri A copy of it to - Presidency of the Mosaic Community Schools Committee ⟦illegible⟧
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July 14 Festival Committee Number :: Date :: 15 / 6 / 59 To - Mr. Khazaal Al-Hashimi Mr. Naji Jajij Mr. Saleh Yousef Greetings. Based on the diligence and activity we know of you, our committee has decided to assign you the task of organizing and erecting the Victory Arch for the eternal day of July 14. As for the slogans and banners, we will provide them to you at the appropriate time. The President Meer Basri A copy to - Presidency of the Mosaic Community - for your kind information Presidency of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information Presidency of the Mosaic Community Incoming ⟦illegible⟧ Date ⟦illegible⟧
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Committee of the July 14th Festival ⟦line⟧ Number: Date: To - Mr. Khazaal Al-Hashimi Mr. Naji Jisjak Mr. Saleh Yousef After greetings. Based on what we know of your diligence and activity, our committee has decided to task you with the mission of organizing and erecting the Victory Arch for the immortal July 14th day. As for the slogans and banners, we will provide you with them at the appropriate time. The President Meer Basri A copy thereof to - The Presidency of the Mosaic Community - for kind notification The Presidency of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for kind notification
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Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone No. } 83531 5452 Number T / 125 / 59 Date 26 / 4 / 1959 Subject: Laws conflicting with the Provisional Constitution of 1958 His Excellency our sole leader, Staff Major General Abdul Karim Qasim, the respected Honorable Prime Minister Greetings On the occasion of considering the subject of laws issued during the defunct era that conflict with the provisions of the Provisional Constitution issued in the prosperous Republican era, and in view of what is contained in Law No. 12 of 1951 of articles that conflict with the provisions of the Provisional Constitution especially what was stated in the second paragraph of Article Five thereof, which stipulates the revocation of citizenship from Iraqi Jews who do not return to Iraq within the period indicated in their passports, we have submitted a memorandum to His Excellency the Minister of Interior and a copy thereof to His Excellency the Minister of Justice, in which we requested a review of the subject of the mentioned article and its cancellation to achieve complete equality among members of our community and the rest of the Iraqi citizens. We were surprised - after reading what was published by the local newspapers - that the subject of canceling the revocation of citizenship stipulated in the second paragraph of Article Five of Law No. 12 of 1951 was not among the articles of the regulations drafted by the Ministry of Justice and submitted to your honorable council, which included the laws conflicting with the Provisional Constitution. His Excellency the Leader The matter of canceling the revocation of citizenship is of great importance to the members of our community, not from a material aspect, as this aspect was not what prompted us to request the cancellation, but rather from a moral aspect, as the mentioned legal article made Iraqi Jews a group to which special provisions apply that do not apply to other Iraqis, a matter that is not consistent with the principle of complete equality announced by the blessed revolution, the immortal July 14 revolution. While we hope, through the cancellation of the revocation of citizenship for Iraqi Jews, to achieve equality between them and their brothers, the members of the great Iraqi people, we request Your Excellency to consider the request and order the issuance of a law canceling Law No. 12 of 1951. We attach herewith a copy of the memorandum submitted to the Ministry of Interior and a copy thereof to the Ministry of Justice for your review. Glory and respect to Your Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting Head of the Community Copy to: - Ministry of Interior - for kind information Ministry of Justice - for kind information
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Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad No. T/: 58 / 1 Date: 6 / 4 / 1959 Telephone No. } 83531 5452 Subject: Laws conflicting with the Provisional Constitution of 1958 Our sole leader, Major General Abd al-Karim Qasim, respected Prime Minister, honored Greetings On the occasion of reviewing the subject of laws issued during the defunct era that conflict with the provisions of the Provisional Constitution issued during the prosperous Republican era, and in view of the materials in Law No. 12 of 1951 that conflict with the provisions of the Provisional Constitution, especially what was stated in the second paragraph of Article Five thereof, which stipulates the revocation of citizenship for Iraqi Jews who do not return to Iraq within the period indicated in their passports, we have submitted a memorandum to His Excellency the Minister of Interior and a copy thereof to His Excellency the Minister of Justice, in which we requested a review of the subject of the aforementioned article and its cancellation to achieve full equality between members of our community and other Iraqi citizens. We were surprised after reviewing what local newspapers publish - that the subject of canceling the revocation of citizenship stipulated in the second paragraph of Article Five of Law No. 12 of 1951 was not among the articles of the draft prepared by the Ministry of Justice and submitted to your esteemed Council, containing laws conflicting with the Provisional Constitution. Your Excellency the Leader The matter of canceling the revocation of citizenship is of great importance to the members of our community, not from a material aspect, as this aspect was not what drove us to request the cancellation, but rather from a moral aspect, as the aforementioned legal article made Iraqi Mosaics a group to which special provisions apply that do not apply to other Iraqis, which is not consistent with the principle of total equality announced by the blessed revolution, the immortal July 14 revolution. While we hope, through the cancellation of the revocation of citizenship for Iraqi Mosaics, to achieve equality between them and their brothers, the members of the great Iraqi people, we hope from Your Excellency that this equality will be in rights and national duties, as the defunct era had deprived the members of our community of national duties. Members of this community have approached me in my capacity as their official representative and asked me to place the matter before Your Excellency to kindly consider it, and they are all hopeful for a decision to cancel the articles and provisions in Law No. 12 of 1951 that prevent them from standing on equal footing with other citizens. Attached herewith is a copy of the memorandum submitted by us to the Ministries of Justice and Interior referred to for Your Excellency's information. With respect to Your Excellency The intended Submitted The submitted President And Justice And Interior
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To His Eminence the Honorable Hakham Bashi Head of the Mosaic Community in Iraq, the Honorable Greetings and respect There are in your possession the records of lineage, marriage, and death for the members of this community Note that the lives of humans, in their existence and their legal property, are dependent on what these historical books and documents contain However, they are kept in a very simple wooden cabinet that is not fire-resistant, and God forbid, all traces could vanish at any time. Therefore, I have come to suggest to your eminence to kindly provide a section or an iron safe that serves this purpose in order to preserve the records of the community, the importance of which cannot be underestimated Please accept the highest expressions of respect Sincerely ⟦line⟧ 5 / 2 / 1959 Naji Yusuf Susa Registrar of Lineage and Marriage Contracts Presidency of the Mosaic Community Incoming No. ⟦illegible⟧ Date ⟦illegible⟧
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His Eminence the Honorable Rabbi ⟦illegible⟧ After greetings ⟦illegible⟧ your Eminence. I, the undersigned Ibrahim Shashi, request from your Eminence ⟦illegible⟧ which we were able to attend, and that I and my family are living in tents ⟦illegible⟧ may you remain safe Ibrahim Shashi Outside Karrada Al-Sharqiya 19/11/52 Ibrahim Shashi Guest To Presidency of the Mosaic Community Special Number ⟦illegible⟧ Date ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦line⟧
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11/9/956 The prisoner who was in Dar al-Shifa has returned to Baqubah prison and has received an amount of three dinars along with three other prisoners who do not have families. There remain ⟦five⟧ two prisoners who did not receive the amount allocated to them because they hope to be released soon from prison and therefore they did not receive the amount allocated to them. As for those who received these amounts they offer their great thanks to you because they are in dire need of of these aids and they hope for their continuation The prisoner Daniel Aliko ⟦signature⟧ Statement We hope that you send us cheese, cans of jam, cans of vegetable fat, and whatever you can send of fruits. Daniel Presidency of the Mosaic Community ⟦illegible⟧ Archive 11/12/56
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Baqubah Prison on 11/6/1958 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri, the respected Head of the Jewish Community / Baghdad I am the prisoner Shlomo Ezra Kradi. It has been the custom that you send us every holiday some necessary items such as food, clothing, cigarettes, and others. I used to receive my share with the others. And we are all of those who are thankful. But during this holiday I was in the hospital in Baghdad and I have now returned to Baqubah Prison with the others, but unfortunately you did not send me anything this time, neither with them nor to me individually at the hospital, and thus I remained without clothes or other necessary items despite the intensification of the winter season, and I do not own anything and I have no family or anyone to help me except for you. Therefore, I have come with this letter of mine hoping that you will send me the usual holiday items of clothes, food, cigarettes, and others, along with a small amount of money. And please accept the utmost gratitude and respect. Shlomo Ezra Kradi The Petitioner Shlomo Ezra Kradi The prisoner sentenced to ten years Do what is necessary ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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Baqubah Prison on 8 / 11 / 58 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri, the respected Head of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad Greetings and respect. Furthermore, we do not miss any occasion to offer thanks for the humanitarian aid you have provided us, especially during religious holidays throughout the years of our past imprisonment, as you were the only refuge for us, the prisoners deprived of any source of aid, deprived of the sympathy and care of our families. But truth be told, your kindness encourages us to approach you today so that you may increase this aid by sending us some necessary items from time to time, monthly or every two months (such as fruits, sugar, tea, cigarettes, etc.). No doubt your Eminence knows that this matter is very easy, if compared to the costs you used to bear several years ago when you used to bestow upon us much more. If you take into consideration how large our number was then and compare it to our number now, which does not exceed six persons only, you would undoubtedly know to what degree of ease, simplicity, and modesty our request is. In conclusion, please accept our abundant thanks and respect. ⟦signature⟧ Prisoner Daniel Eliyahu Sentenced to twenty years Headquarters of the Mosaic Community 122 ⟦illegible⟧ To be registered 11 / 10
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There is no god but Allah Subject - There is no power or strength for a miserable poor person. His Excellency Staff Leader Abd al-Karim Qasim, the respected His Excellency the Prime Minister, the respected His Excellency the Minister of Interior, the respected His Excellency the Mutasarrif of Baghdad Province, the respected Presidency of the Mosaic Community Special number ⟦line⟧ Date ⟦line⟧ - ⟦line⟧ The pen of destiny wrote for us that our luck and life would be full of woe and destruction, especially in poverty and want; thus time brought us harsh calamities. After we left our land a year ago in humiliation and prosperity and came in a state of homelessness and dispersal fleeing from injustice and tyranny, running after a loaf of bread. These tragedies and calamities that befell us during the era of the feudalists in the time of the defunct regime. We took Baghdad as a place of residence for us. We do not want to prolong the speech and say that we were created victims of living life in a miserable state. This is a summary of our case. - Summary of the Case We found a house that was empty inside and abandoned, which we took over after we performed some restorations and repairs to it and we fixed what was ruined in it, such as doors and windows. Noting that most of the doors of this house did not have (doors) And we informed the owner of the property (the Jewish Community in Baghdad) that we are ready to pay the rent for it as you see fit for our situation and for the benefit of this community; we do not mean by that our permanent settlement in it, rather we will leave it and return to our original home which we abandoned years ago, after the completion of the Agrarian Reform Law and the distribution of agricultural lands. However, the community remained hesitant between willing and unwilling. And what a miserable tragedy and an attack like the attack of a lion that wants to devour its prey, which is the attack of the local police upon us and the police standing in a state of readiness and formation, some at the door of the house and some on the side of the road, as if we are in this state accused or having committed a sin, but rather as if we have stolen this house built of stones and clay, and the police are still crouching at the door of the house; everyone who comes out of it is arrested and a messenger is sent with him to the police (under guard). The Request We request first - our referral to the courts (judges) so that justice may take its course to see whether we have stolen or if any damage originated from us or if anything was destroyed in the house except for repair and residence, no less and no more. And you know that the arrow of winter has emerged, so where should we head, while we do not possess any income except (300 fils daily) from our labor wages in clay Likewise, we request the issuance of your supreme order to the local police to cease demanding from us and chasing us from this house. The Poor Man. The poor man since ancient times used to have his sanctuary and refuge in the person of compassion and sympathy, and today we seek people of sympathy to sympathize with a poor man, whose burdens are broken and remaining, possessing no food except the food of his daily sweat. Sir, we do not want to own this house, but rather we want to seek refuge in it from the cold and rain until God completes the reform of the Agrarian Reform Law and its distribution in our entirety. In conclusion, we are waiting for this bravery, compassion, and sympathy. And to you the highest thanks and respect. Copy to / The Jewish Community - hoping for the appointment of your representative to receive the rent for this house His Excellency the Assistant Police of Imam Taha, the respected - hoping for your kindness first to take notice and second to stop the execution order until the result of this presentation of ours. The Petitioners Jassim Muhammad Malik Juway'ad Salim Hussein Nazal ⟦...⟧ Turki Hilal Sayyid Khudayr bin Sayyid Salih Jabbar Kibar Kamil Dawud Salman Dawud ⟦...⟧ 22/10/58
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Post Iraqi Republic Iraqi 50 Fils
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To the Presidency of the Jewish Community in the respected Iraqi Republic I am Fadhil Hussein, formerly employed as a gardener and doorman at the former Meer Elias Hospital. I entered the service in the year 1905 and my departure from it occurred in the year 1949. From the date of my departure until now, I have not been granted a gratuity fee. Since I had spent a period of forty-five years and during this period I performed my duties in the best manner and no violations were issued by me, I hope you will be kind enough to look into this matter and grant me a gratuity, as I am the head of a family consisting of ten people and my financial situation is very weak. With thanks (the matter is yours) Note that I have not even received one month's salary of my entitlement. Fadhil Hussein, formerly employed Gardener and doorman Presidency of the Jewish Community File Number ⟦line⟧ Date ⟦line⟧ The Republic of Iraq 50 Fils
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⟦illegible stamp⟧ Republic of Iraq 50 Fils ⟦fingerprint⟧
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To the Presidency of the Respectable Israelite Community ⟦Respectable⟧ I am Abd Muhammad, formerly employed at Meir Elias Hospital Previously, I entered the service in the year 1944 until my departure from it in the year 1952, and during this period I performed my duties in the best manner and was not granted a gratuity I beg your kindness to grant me the gratuity I deserve, as I separated on the date 10/15/1952, keeping in mind that I have not even received one month's salary. Finally, the matter is yours. The Petitioner Abd Muhammad, formerly employed at Meir Elias Hospital previously Presidency of the Mosaic Community ⟦line⟧ Number ⟦line⟧ Date ⟦line⟧ The Republic of Iraq 50 Fils
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Questions concerning the spiritual members of the city of Baghdad 1- Must the animal be laid down for slaughtering? 2- Must it be laid down facing the Qibla of Mecca? 3- Who decides the direction that the animal must face? 4- Is the animal thrown on the ground? 5- Is it permitted for the animal to be placed inside a cage for slaughtering or to be placed on any table elevated from the ground? 6- Is it permissible to move the animal during bleeding? 7- Is it permissible to make the animal lose its senses either by gas or by electrocuting it? (Anesthetizing the animal is highly preferred as it puts the animal in a state of drowsiness). ⟦signature⟧ ⟦Contact the department⟧ 4/17 True copy A. Z. ⟦illegible⟧
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Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531
5452
Reference No. T/: 59 / ⟦...⟧
Date: 11 / 18 / 1959
Subject ::
His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Justice
Greetings and respect
Further to the letter of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews No. M/172 dated 3/8/59
addressed to the Ministry of Interior, a copy of which was sent to your esteemed Ministry, we come to your Excellency requesting consideration of the following:-
The travel departments obtain a written pledge from every Mosaic person leaving the country, which includes the necessity of returning within one year from
the date of leaving Iraq, otherwise they will be subject to the revocation of Iraqi citizenship, based on the text of the second paragraph of
Article Five of Law No. 12 of 1951.
The aforementioned procedure, applied only to members of our community, completely contradicts the text of Article Nine of the Provisional Constitution
of 1958, which made all citizens equal before the law in rights and duties, in addition to the principle of revoking citizenship,
that principle decided by the aforementioned law, which contradicts the spirit of the Provisional Constitution, considering citizenship a natural right for every citizen
that cannot be taken away from him.
Added to this is that limiting a person's stay outside Iraq to a certain period and revoking citizenship upon its expiration hinders
the purposes sought by the traveling person, such as trade and medical treatment; rather, the aforementioned threat and revocation would
make many countries hesitate to grant the person an entry visa or the right of temporary residence.
While we aim, by canceling the revocation of citizenship for Iraqi Mosaics, to achieve complete equality between them
and their fellow Iraqi citizens in rights and duties, we request your Excellency to consider the subject of the second paragraph
of Article Five of Law No. 12 of 1951, which gives the Minister of Interior the authority to determine the period of stay for a Mosaic person
outside Iraq and revoke citizenship upon its expiration, and kindly cancel it to achieve the full equality guaranteed by
the Provisional Constitution of 1958, which was issued by our national government in the prosperous Republican era. Respectfully to your Excellency,
Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri
Acting President of the Mosaic Community
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Naji Majeed From the merchants of the Jewish community Wishes to approach you regarding a plan Amendment in the affairs of ⟦...⟧ Republic of Iraq Ministry of Interior Intelligence Directorate Urgent Director of Legal Affairs, to take the necessary action by order of His Excellency the Minister Director General of Interior ⟦signature⟧
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4089 59 2 8 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews Telephone Number: 5452 Number: ⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧ Date: 8 / 3 / 1959 Subject: Laws conflicting with the Interim Constitution of 1958 His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Interior Greetings, On the occasion of reviewing the laws issued during the defunct era that conflict with the provisions of the Interim Constitution issued during the prosperous Republican era, this committee wishes to place before your Excellency its observations regarding the subject of revoking Iraqi citizenship from the Mosaic followers according to Law No. 12 of 1951. 1 - Since the aforementioned law distinguished between the Mosaic followers and other Iraqis, an act which completely contradicts the text of Article Nine of the Interim Constitution of 1958, which equalized all citizens before the law in rights and duties. In addition, the principle of "revoking citizenship"—the principle established by the aforementioned law—violates the text and spirit of the Interim Constitution, considering that citizenship is a natural right for every citizen that cannot be taken away. 2 - Our community highly appreciates all the democratic steps taken by the esteemed government of the Iraqi Republic, headed by the Sole Leader, Staff Major General Abdul Karim Qasim—steps that have met with full satisfaction and joy from the members of this community—and what we have sensed regarding the end of the era of discrimination between citizens in all fields; we hope our young government will abolish the aforementioned law. With respect to Your Excellency, Salman Daniel Chairman of the Administrative Committee ⟦signature⟧ Copy to: - His Excellency the Minister of Justice - for the same purpose. Committee, this is according to the subject that the request was included within the laws ⟦...⟧ intended to be abolished ⟦signature⟧