Iraq's Board of Jurisprudence rejects amendment to Sunni Endowments Authority law

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Board of Jurisprudence has rejected a proposed amendment to the Sunni Endowments Authority law, warning that removing the board's approval power over the appointment of the authority's head would open the institution to political influence. In a statement, the board said the current provision under the 2012 Law No. 56, which governs the appointment of the authority's head, should be preserved. The approval mechanism, it said, constitutes a religious and national safeguard ensuring that the appointee meets standards of competence, integrity and trustworthiness. The board cautioned that excluding its review from the process and leaving the selection to political negotiations would erode the institution's neutrality, weaken governance principles and heighten concerns over the independence of endowments. It called on the Iraqi parliament to uphold the provisions that guarantee the law's independence. The board stressed that its position is aimed at protecting the principle of public trust, the rule of law and the independence of endowments, rather than defending any individual or institution. Under the existing law, the head is appointed at the ministerial level on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and with the approval of the Board of Jurisprudence. The proposed amendment remains under discussion in parliament.