history of iraqi emigration

3 Major Waves

1.Post-Monarchy (after 1958 coup)

2.1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, and the 1990-91 Gulf War, Shi’a Uprising, and subsequent respression of the Shi’a

3.Post-Invasion and Post-Ba’athist period (after 2003)

“Refugee” – la’jeen

“Asylum Seeker” – talbin luju’

“Guest”, “Brother”, “Neighbor”

“Exile” - mughtaribin

Mainly in Jordan

Estimates started as high as 750,000 or “nearly a million”

FAFO Report (450 – 500 thousand)

Numbers Game in Syria

Syria

Relatively poorer

Large populations of Sunnis, Shi’a, and Christians

Family, but also part of pre-existing communities with identifiable structure and boundaries

From central and Southern Iraq

Religious freedoms so long as not politicized

Unrestricted entry into schools

Few limitations legally on investment, building, etc.

Exiles Scapegoated

Jordan

Cross-section of socioeconomic class, but includes many wealthy business interests

Primarily Sunni with smaller Christian (13%) and Shi’a (20% of Muslims) communities

Structured around tight-knit family, atomistic rather than cohesive community

Primarily from Baghdad (3/4)

Discrimination of Shi’a

Newly accepted into schools

Legality depends on money & ability to invest

Exiles Scapegoated

Assyrians, Chaldeans, Mandeans, Eastern-rite Catholics

Disproportionate numbers of Christian immigrants

Protected under Saddam (Syria, Iran)

Part of group that is least likely to return (minorities)

Christian tax

In exile, strong organizations for dispersing aid