Under the patronage of Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, and as part of the third edition of Sustainability Week, the university hosted a powerful and thought-provoking English-language theatrical performance titled “The Crossroads”, presented through a collaboration between the Department of English at the College of Education and the Department of English at the College of Arts.
The production was carried out under the direct supervision of Lecturer Iltifat Alawi Mohammed from the College of Education and Lecturer Baraa Sattar from the College of Arts. This dramatic work brought together artistic creativity and educational insight, portraying the psychological and social impact of addiction on youth, within a compelling narrative framework.
The story follows a young man named “Ali” as he spirals into addiction due to emotional distress and challenging life circumstances. The play depicts the heartfelt attempts by his family and friends to rescue him, culminating in a tragic end—yet one that delivers a powerful message: “Prevention is possible, and support makes a difference.”
This theatrical initiative aligns closely with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
• Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being): by raising awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and its physical and psychological consequences.
• Goal 4 (Quality Education): through the use of theater as a pedagogical tool that blends art with social education.
• Goal 5 (Gender Equality): by fostering equal participation of male and female students in creating socially driven, collaborative performances.
• Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): by encouraging open discussion of sensitive social issues and promoting recovery-oriented thinking.
The performance was met with great enthusiasm from students, faculty, and visiting guests, all of whom praised the production’s emotional depth, its impactful message, and the students’ outstanding performance. The university leadership commended the initiative as a model for combining education, creativity, and community awareness.
Al-Mustaqbal University – The First University in Iraq.