Iraq

By: James MacyBy: James Macy

Major History• Mesopotamia became Iraq in 1932 under British rule • Iraqi army officers overthrew the British government in the 1950’s • A Baath (BAHTH) leader named Saddam Hussein became president in 1979

– Hussein was very controlling – He assassinated all political enemies

• Hussein invaded Iran in 1980 – The war lasted 8 years

• Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 • UN forced Iraq out in 1991 • The U.S crushed Hussein’s army two years after 9/11

Saddam Hussein wearing interrogation T-shirt

GeographyGeography• Syrian Desert located at south-west corner of Iraq

• This country is very small

•Contains two rivers:

• Tigris

• Euphrates

• Both empty into the Persian Gulf

• The Zagros mountains are located in the far north corner

• contains two lakes :

• Lake Hammar

• Lake Tharthar

•The land area is 168,869 miles²

Main religions Main religions The main religion in Iraq is IslamThe main religion in Iraq is Islam

Islam is practiced by 97% Iraq’s population Islam is practiced by 97% Iraq’s population Other religions include Christianity, Yazdanism, Mandaeism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Other religions include Christianity, Yazdanism, Mandaeism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. Zoroaster was an ancient Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. Zoroaster was an ancient Iranian religious poet and prophet. Iranian religious poet and prophet.

Mandaeism lacks a “big book” (ex.: Bible, Koran). It is based on a common heritage, not a set Mandaeism lacks a “big book” (ex.: Bible, Koran). It is based on a common heritage, not a set of beliefs of beliefs

Judaism and Christianity are almost identical, but Judaism does believe in the teachings of the Judaism and Christianity are almost identical, but Judaism does believe in the teachings of the New Testament, and Jews do not believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, prophesied by the New Testament, and Jews do not believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, prophesied by the Old Testament. Old Testament.

Yazdanism is the belief in seven divine entities that defend us from their counterparts, the Yazdanism is the belief in seven divine entities that defend us from their counterparts, the seven evil entities. seven evil entities.

Christianity is the belief in a God who is holy, just, righteous, infinite, loving, and the Creator. It Christianity is the belief in a God who is holy, just, righteous, infinite, loving, and the Creator. It is also the belief in heaven, the eternal dwelling place of the righteous, and hell, the eternal is also the belief in heaven, the eternal dwelling place of the righteous, and hell, the eternal dwelling place of the unjust or those who deny Christ, or those who simply don’t care when dwelling place of the unjust or those who deny Christ, or those who simply don’t care when they have been warned. they have been warned.

Culture: ethnic groupsCulture: ethnic groups The main ethnicities in Iraq include:The main ethnicities in Iraq include:

ArabsArabs They make up about 75% of Iraq’s population They make up about 75% of Iraq’s population Their main religion is IslamTheir main religion is Islam

The main belief is that there is one GodThe main belief is that there is one God

KurdsKurds The Kurds mostly inhabit a territory called Kurdistan; but they also live in Armenia, Israel, Georgia, The Kurds mostly inhabit a territory called Kurdistan; but they also live in Armenia, Israel, Georgia,

and several other countries.and several other countries. Their main language is Kurdish Their main language is Kurdish Kurds make up 15-20% of the population in IraqKurds make up 15-20% of the population in Iraq

Iraqi customs

Generosity is highly valued; it would be considered rude to refuse to loan money It is common to see shop owners quietly drinking a cup of tea in the afternoon; they have little else to do. On Christmas Eve, every Iraqi Christian family makes a bonfire of thorn bushes. If the thorns burn to ashes; good luck will be

granted for the following year. If not; then the luck will vary throughout. On Christmas Day, they hold a church service. Afterwards, the bishop blesses on person with a touch. That person blesses

another, and soon the whole congregation will have felt “the touch of peace”

Christmas Eve

Iraqi CuisineIraqi CuisinePopular dish is the kebab Popular dish is the kebab

The kebab is commonly seasoned with:The kebab is commonly seasoned with:LemonLemonGarlic Garlic Spices Spices Commonly grilledCommonly grilled

Appetizers and salads are known as Appetizers and salads are known as MezzeMezzeOther traditional foods include:Other traditional foods include:

Shawarma: Shawarma: a grilled meat sandwich wrap a grilled meat sandwich wrap

Bamia: Bamia: a stew consisting of: a stew consisting of:

lamb lamb Okra (a type of vegetable) Okra (a type of vegetable) Tomatoes Tomatoes

Quzi: Quzi: Lamb served with: Lamb served with:

Almonds Almonds Rice Rice Raisins Raisins Other spicesOther spices

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Assyrian_language&ei=fSQTS8z3CMWVtgfGyNXRAg&sa=X&oi=define&ct=&cd=1&ved=Assyrian_language&ei=fSQTS8z3CMWVtgfGyNXRAg&sa=X&oi=define&ct=&cd=1&ved=0CAUQpAMoAA&usg=AFQjCNHdik4T8EdgdxjM7WecD5g2FWRlfA 0CAUQpAMoAA&usg=AFQjCNHdik4T8EdgdxjM7WecD5g2FWRlfA

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