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Secularism in Iraq

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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References

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  1. ^ Council, Atlantic (2016-09-14). "The Future of Secularism in Iraq". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  2. ^ "2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy". European Union Agency for Asylum. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  3. ^ Ramadani, Sami (2014-06-16). "The sectarian myth of Iraq". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  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. 55 (2): 344–352. doi:10.1017/S0020743823000818. ISSN 0020-7438.
  5. ^ "Tracing the Rise of Sectarianism in Iraq after 2003". Middle East Centre. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  6. ^ Al-Ali, Zaid (17 May 2005). "The end of secularism in Iraq". Open Democracy.
  7. ^ "The Secular Roots of a Religious Divide in Contemporary Iraq | Origins". origins.osu.edu. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  8. ^ Su, Alice (2018-07-05). "The Rise of Iraq's Young Secularists". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  9. ^ "2.14. Individuals considered to have committed blasphemy and/or apostasy". European Union Agency for Asylum. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  10. ^ Chatriwala, Omar. "'Secular Iraq regaining support'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  11. ^ "Iraq's Secular Opposition: The Rise and Decline of Al-Iraqiya | Crisis Group". www.crisisgroup.org. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2024-06-06.

See also

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