Secularism in Iraq explained

Secularism in modern Iraq dates back to the 14 July Revolution of 1958 which overthrew the Kingdom of Iraq's Hashemite dynasty and established the Iraqi Republic.^[1] Islam is the official state religion of Iraq, but the constitution, guarantees freedom of religious belief and practices for Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and Sabean-Mandaeans.^[2]

The secular Iraqi Communist Party was the country's largest movement between the 1940s and 1960s, and was founded by activists from different backgrounds.^[3]

Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Iraqi society has experienced crises in its transition from a strong centralized state under the secular Baʿth Party to a state dominated by Shia Islamist parties.^[4] In particular sectarian violence increased dramatically.^[5] In 2006, OpenDemocracy reported that the regime change had damaged the secularism of Ba'athist Iraq.^[6] The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq presented a challenge to secularism.^[7]

Since the end of the War in Iraq, secularism has grown in the country.^[8] A poll released in 2011 recorded that 67% of the population answered that they believe in God.^[9] In 2010, it was reported that Iraq was moving towards secularism.^[10] The growth of a secular, non-sectarian middle class has been seen.^[11]

Secular political parties

• Civil Democratic Alliance
• Civilized Alliance
• Emtidad Movement
• Gorran Movement
• Iraq Freedom Congress
• Iraqi Communist Party
• Iraqi National Accord
• Iraqi National Congress
• Iraqi National Movement
• National Democratic Party
• Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq
• People's Party
• People's Union
• Progress Party
• Reconciliation and Liberation Bloc

See also

• Irreligion in Iraq
• Islam and secularism

Notes and References

1. Web site: Council. Atlantic. 2016-09-14. The Future of Secularism in Iraq. 2024-06-06. Atlantic Council. en-US.
2. Web site: 2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy. 2024-06-06. European Union Agency for Asylum. en.
3. News: Ramadani. Sami. 2014-06-16. The sectarian myth of Iraq. 2024-06-06. The Guardian. en-GB. 0261-3077.
4. Jordan. David. 24 August 2023. State and Religion in Iraq: The Sufi Insurgency of the Former Baʿth Regime in Historical Context. International Journal of Middle East Studies. en. 55. 2. 344–352. 10.1017/S0020743823000818. 0020-7438. free.
5. Web site: 2018-09-13. Tracing the Rise of Sectarianism in Iraq after 2003. 2024-06-06. Middle East Centre.
6. Web site: Al-Ali. Zaid. 17 May 2005. The end of secularism in Iraq. Open Democracy.
7. Web site: 2015-09-10. The Secular Roots of a Religious Divide in Contemporary Iraq Origins. 2024-06-06. origins.osu.edu. en.
8. Web site: Su. Alice. 2018-07-05. The Rise of Iraq's Young Secularists. 2024-06-06. The Atlantic. en.
9. Web site: 2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy. 2024-06-06. European Union Agency for Asylum. en.
10. Web site: Chatriwala. Omar. ‘Secular Iraq regaining support’. 2024-06-06. Al Jazeera. en.
11. Web site: 2012-07-31. Iraq’s Secular Opposition: The Rise and Decline of Al-Iraqiya Crisis Group. 2024-06-06. www.crisisgroup.org. en.