With hearts that believe in God's will and destiny, and with deep sadness and sorrow, we offer our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to our people in the beloved Wasit Governorate, following the painful tragedy that befell them as a result of yesterday's hypermarket fire. We ask God to have mercy on the victims, to grant them eternal peace in heaven, to inspire their families with patience and solace, to grant the wounded a speedy recovery, and to protect Iraq and its people from all harm.

To God we belong and to Him we shall return.

Prof. Dr. Hisham Kadhum Hashim, Dean of the College of Computer Science and Information Technology at  University of Basrah