School Page Information
(from GTA 24-01-003, Iraq Culture Smart Card)

The following information is provided to 314th PAOC Soldiers on a military pamphlet, but it will also provide some basic insight into the culture and social dynamics of Iraq and its people. The information on the pamphlet does not describe individuals; it describes only general social norms and culture. During our military cultural training, we are reminded that the descriptions do no apply equally to all individuals, and even the general descriptions can change over time.

Ethnic Groups in Iraq

Arabs: 18.5 million
• Descended from nomadic Bedouin tribes.
• Culture closely intertwined with Islam.
• 65% are Shia Muslim; 35% are Sunni Muslim (about 10% of Muslims globally are Shia).
• Most are members of one of Iraq’s 150 tribes.

Kurds: 5 million
• Ethnically distinct from Arabs, Turks and Persians.
• “Kurd” originally used to denote non-Arab nomads.
• Speak “Kurdish”, a language distinct from Arabic and Turkish; similar to Persian.

Assyrians/Chaldeans: 800,000
• Claim to be heirs to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia.
• Christians.
• Live in urban areas and throughout northern Iraq.

Turkoman: 500,000
• Ethnically related to Turks and Azeris.
• 66% are Sunni Muslim; 33% are Shia Muslim.
• Primary language is Turkish, but most are also fluent in Arabic.

Cultural Groups

Arabs
• Arabs view Kurds as separatists within Iraq and are wary of their desire for autonomy.
• Arabs view Christian Assyrians and Chaldeans as Iraqis, but recent Islamic extremism has sparked some hostility toward them.
• Arabs look down upon the Turkoman because Arabs generally view Turkish culture as inferior.
• Arabs view Iranian Persians negatively and fear the historically strong political influence of Persia.

Sunni and Shia Arabs
• Tension exists between Shia and Sunni Arabs over access to political and economic power.
• Sunnis blame Shias for undermining the mystical unit of Islam and they view them as less loyal to Iraq.
• Shias blame Sunnis for marginalizing the Shia majority and resent Sunni attempts to question their loyalty to Iraq.

Kurds
• Kurds are openly hostile toward Iraqi Arabs and seek to assert their political and cultural independence.
• Kurds are distrustful of the Turkoman, as they have competing claims over Kirkuk.
• Kurds do not interact much with Assyrians and Chaldeans.

Assyrians
• Assyrians experienced persecution by both Kurds and Arabs.
• Assyrians recognize their minority status as a religious and ethnic group.
• Assyrians believe they have much in common with the Chaldeans, including ethnic and Christian religious heritage.

Chaldeans
• Chaldeans rejoined the Catholic Church in the 18th century and do not believe that they are similar to the Assyrians.
• As a religious and ethnic minority, the Chaldeans distrust both Kurdish and Arab intentions.
• They have peaceful relations with the Turkoman.

Turkoman
• Tukoman view themselves as a marginalized and repressed minority and seek greater influence in Iraq.
• Turkoman fear Kurds, and there has been a long history of conflict between the two groups.
• Turkoman identify closely with Turkey and the Ottoman period of Iraqi history.

Cultural Customs

Honor and Shame
• Admitting “I don’t know” is shameful for an Iraqi.
• Constructive criticism can be taken as an insult.
• Many women still wear head scarves as a show of respect, even if wearing Western clothing. Women are rarely without a male relative or friend or escort.

Family
• Family is the center of honor, loyalty and reputation.
• Men are always the head of the family. Direct attention is rarely given to female relatives by Westerners.

Personal Space
• Iraqis do not share an American concept of “personal space” in public situations, private meetings or conversations. It is considered offensive to step or lean away from an Iraqi.
• Women are an exception to this rule. One should not stand close to, stare at, or touch women.

Socialization and Trust
• When conducting business, it is customary to first shake the hands of all the males present, taking care to grip neither too firmly or too loosely.
• Allocate plenty of time for refreshments before attempting to engage an Iraqi in business conversation. It is important to first establish respect and trust.

Cultural History

Ancient Mesopotamia (18th – 6th century BC)
• Babylonian Empire seen as the cradle of modern civilization.

Ottoman Period (1534-1916)
• Iraq consisted of three semi-independent provinces.
• The Tuskish Ottoman Empire supported Sunni governance to counter influence from the Shia Safavid Iran.
• Pesia sponsored Shia missionaries during the 1800s. The majority of Iraq’s population converted from Sunni to Shia.

British Mandate and Monarchy (1920-1958)
• The British forged modern Iraq in 1921 under an appointed Sunni king.
• The Kurds became a stateless ethnic group split among Turkey, Iraq and Iran.
• British and Sunni forces repressed a Shia and Kurdish revolt. Sunnis dominated Iraqi society.
• The 1958 coup brought independence and republican rule.

Modern Iraqi (1958-2003)
• Instability from 1958 to 1968 until Ba’ath Party takeover. Sunni Arabs dominate Iraq by oppressing Shia Arabs and Kurds.
• Following the 1979 Shia revolution in Iran, Saddam Hussein fears a Shia uprising.
• The Iran-Iraq war from 1980-1988 exacerbated religious and ethnic tensions, leading to numerous Kurdish and Shia uprisings; all were brutally repressed.

Religion

Five Pillar of Islam
• Shahada. Faith: Allah is the one true God.
• Salat. Prayer: Pray five times a day.
• Zakat. Alms/Charity: Assistance to the needy.
• Sawn. Fasting: The month of Ramadan includes fasting from sunrise to sunset.
• Hajj. Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Islamic Flag Meanings
Muslims often fly colored flags to observe various holidays or dates of personal significance. Each color carries a specific meaning. Green is the color of Islam and is particularly meaningful to Shia.
• Green = Islam
• Red = Sacrifice
• White = Purity
• Black = Martydom

Islamic Religious Terms
• Koran: Islamic Holy Book, given by Allah to the Prophet Mohammad.
• Mosque: Muslim house of worship.
• Sunnia and Shia: Two main branches of Islam.
• Sharia: Muslim law.
• Fatwa: An order from a Muslim religious leader.
• Imam: Among Sunnis, this is a religious leader; among Shia this is the supreme religious leader descended from Mohammad.
• Wahabbis: Puritanical Muslims from the Hanbali school of Sunni Islam; they never shave their beards.
• Madrassah: Islamic educational system.
• Mullah: Local religious leader.

Do This

In General
• Shake hands gently in greeting and departure, but always with your right hand.
• Respond to a woman’s greeting only when she initiates the contact. Allow her to shake hands using only her fingertips.
• Refer to the entire family when making inquiries, well wishes or blessings.
• Be patient; the Iraqi approach is slow and relaxed.

In Iraqi Homes
• Try all food offered to you, even if only small portions. Feel free to ask about the cuisine or its preparation.
• Appear relaxed and friendly; social interaction is critical to building trust.

As a Guest
• Be gracious; do not appear anxious to leave.
• Offer profuse thanks to host and wish his family well.
• Arrive on time for meetings, but expect casual conversation and a gradual approach to a business discussion.

Don’t Do This

Avoid These Actions

• Don’t use your left hand for contact with others, eating, or gestures. It is considered unclean.
• Don’t point with a finger; it is sign of contempt. Instead, point with your entire hand.
• Don’t ask for a single opinion on an issue, as Iraqis often first reply with the answer they think you want to hear, rather than an honest answer.
• Don’t slouch, lean or appear disinterested when conversing with Iraqi men.
• Do not expose the soles of feet or shoes.
• Don’t back away from an Iraqi in conversation. Close personal interaction is customary and distance is considered rude.
• Don’t offer a Muslim food or drink or consume either publicly during Ramadan. Never offer a Muslim pork or alcohol.
• Don’t engage in religious discussions.
• Don’t make the “OK” or “thumbs up” signs; they are considered obscene.
• Don’t praise an Iraqi’s possessions too much. He may give them to you and expect something of equal value in return.