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
edit- 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
References
edit- ^ Council, Atlantic (2016-09-14). "The Future of Secularism in Iraq". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ "2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy". European Union Agency for Asylum. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ Ramadani, Sami (2014-06-16). "The sectarian myth of Iraq". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ 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. 55 (2): 344–352. doi:10.1017/S0020743823000818. ISSN 0020-7438.
- ^ "Tracing the Rise of Sectarianism in Iraq after 2003". Middle East Centre. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ Al-Ali, Zaid (17 May 2005). "The end of secularism in Iraq". Open Democracy.
- ^ "The Secular Roots of a Religious Divide in Contemporary Iraq | Origins". origins.osu.edu. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ Su, Alice (2018-07-05). "The Rise of Iraq's Young Secularists". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ "2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy". European Union Agency for Asylum. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ Chatriwala, Omar. "'Secular Iraq regaining support'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
- ^ "Iraq's Secular Opposition: The Rise and Decline of Al-Iraqiya | Crisis Group". www.crisisgroup.org. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2024-06-06.