Erbil: As it nears its 10-year anniversary, the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) stands as a resilient symbol of hope, education, and coexistence in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Originally founded in 2014 amidst the mass displacement caused by ISIS, the university has since evolved from a safe haven for persecuted minorities into a dynamic academic institution committed to fostering peace through interfaith education and cultural dialogue.
Fr. Karam Shamasha, Provost of the university, recalls the turbulent origins of the institution. When Iraqi Christians were uprooted from their homes in 2014–15, the Church was already sheltering and feeding thousands. It was then that Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil envisioned a greater mission education. That dream materialized with the founding of CUE, with early support from the Italian Bishops’ Conference and international Catholic organizations.
From humble beginnings, the university has grown to serve over 725 students. Christians make up roughly 60% of the student body, while Muslims constitute about 30%, and the remaining 10% includes Yazidis and other minorities. “Our classrooms reflect the diverse mosaic of Iraq,” Fr. Shamasha explains. “We’re not just imparting degrees we’re cultivating a spirit of unity, moral virtue, and social responsibility.”
As a Catholic institution in a predominantly Muslim region, the university faced skepticism in its early days. “Some wondered why we’d build a Catholic university here,” Fr. Shamasha admits. “But our message has always been clear: this land is ours too, and we wish to remain not merely as a dwindling statistic, but as a guiding light.”
Indeed, CUE stands unique in the Middle East as the only university to officially bear the “Catholic University” name in its title. With its decennial celebration approaching this September, the university is looking outward, aiming to deepen its global academic engagement. It recently secured membership in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and is now pursuing ties with the International Federation of Catholic Universities.
A key pillar of CUE’s future is the newly launched Department of Oriental Studies and Comparative Religion. This initiative seeks to explore Mesopotamia’s rich religious heritage and to teach students regardless of faith about the shared roots and philosophies of the region’s spiritual traditions. “This is not just an academic exercise,” says Fr. Shamasha. “It’s a peacebuilding tool. When students learn about each other’s histories, fears dissolve and bridges form.”
The interreligious approach has been well-received, particularly among the university’s non-Christian students. “Many families feel reassured knowing the Church is behind this institution,” Fr. Shamasha adds. “They trust that their children will receive a quality education in a safe, respectful environment.”
CUE’s mission aligns with the broader vision of the Catholic Church as mater et magistra mother and teacher. It’s a mission of nurturing minds while building social harmony. “We don’t just teach from books,” Fr. Shamasha insists. “We teach from life, from shared experience, and from a desire to rebuild society together.”
Currently in Rome to participate in the Jubilee Year pilgrimage, Fr. Shamasha reflects on the spiritual meaning of the journey. Accompanied by 45 parishioners from Nineveh, including elderly, youth, and families, he describes the pilgrimage as a symbolic embrace between two ancient cities of martyrdom Rome and Nineveh.
“This is a journey from a land of pain and sacrifice to a city of hope and universal faith,” he says. “We came with gratitude in our hearts. Despite the hardships we face, we know the Church has never forgotten us from the days of war and invasion to this very moment. The Pope’s words have always been a beacon.”
As the Catholic University in Erbil steps into its second decade, its mission remains unwavering: to offer not only academic excellence but also moral clarity, to heal divisions through understanding, and to be a lasting witness to the enduring presence of Christians in Iraq.