Iraq , a country known for its dancing style and violence has a lot hidden in its past . The recent case of two suicide bombers blowing themselves up inside a tent packed with protesters in North Iraq gives a peek into the country which was once known for its culture and heritage.
Let us travel back to the country whose nick name is 'cradle of civilization' . It is interesting to know that a country which is now immersed in violence and political instability celebrates two new years day . While some Iraqis celebrate New years eve on December 31st , many prefer celebrating Muharram as their new year . Contrary to the condition of women in Iraq today , women in Iraq traditionally enjoyed more freedom than women in other countries . The situation has however changed today.The Gulf War encouraged men and religious groups to force women to cover up and threaten women wearing western cloths . Women in Iraq are being forced into sex slavery due to abating economy .A country which was once touted as a free country is now bound by religious restrictions and boundaries .
"My master is of churlish disposition and little recks to find the way to heaven by doing deeds of hospitality" These words of William Shakespeare hold great significance in Iraqi culture . Iraqis are known for their hospitality and love. They wouldn't mind giving away their finest possession to a person admiring it . Unlike other countries , eating quickly isn't considered cheap or mannerless but a sign of the food being delicious .Ironically Iraqis do not entertain pets during meals .
Their national cookie Kleicha is an example of commencement of the greatest civilization . It was in Sumer that the wheel was invented and Kleicha acquires its name from it .The impaled fish , Masgouf too finds its roots in Iraq . People who are unknown to Iraqi culture might be shocked to know that writing was invented in Iraq . In ancient Iraq , people used mud to build powerful cities which contributed to powerful empires . The Sumerians used hardened mud as a table . Though these tables were of clay they lead to the invention of inscription and thus writing .It is said that certain superstitious beliefs like "crossing of black cats" which are followed in countries like India were invented in Iraq . The famous story Ali Baba and The Forty Thief's which is a quite famous story in India was written in Iraq one thousand years ago . Some modern prediction methods like reading fortunes in the constellation was also invented in Iraq .
Iraqis are very conservative about their tradition . Traditionally marriages in Iraq are arranged and their obvious choice would be to marry their second cousin but things are changing due to migration of rural people to urban areas . Dance has a very crucial role in Iraqi culture . Hacha , is Iraq's traditional dance .It is quite similar to belly dance but involves more hand motion and less hip movement . The traditional Arabic music Maqam is inspired by ancient Arabic kings and is based on Arabic poetry . Very few know that honey is an important source of income in Iraq .
Iraq , majorly is an Islamic country with 97% of residents adopting Islam as their official religion .Just like Pakistan , Muslims in Iraq are divided into Shia and Sunni . The tussle between sunni and Shi'tes is a huge cause of concern in Iraq . Like true Mulims , Iraqi believe in living by the five pillars of Islam - There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Messenger, praying five times a day, giving money to the poor, fasting during the Islamic holy month and making pilgrimage to Mecca before dying ."The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of a martyr ” saying originated in the city of Baghdad in AD 762 when Baghdad became the capital of Abbasid dynasty . This was also known as "the golden Islamic age" as Abbasid built the “House of Wisdom” , giving more value to knowledge .
The currency of Iraq is Iraqi dinar.Half of Iraq's economy is depends on oil . Though its oil industry got nationalized in 1972 , it was discovered long back in 1927 . Oil lead to many internal wars in Iraq . During Iran-Iraq war , Iraq underwent a huge economy loss because of which Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait in 1992 in order to acquire its oil field . Therefore , inspite of having second largest oil reserves , Iraq continues to be a country immersed in poverty . The al-shaheed monument in Baghdad was made in the memory of Iraqi soldiers died in Iraq-Iran war .
Though Iraq got independent in 1932 Iraqis got to vote only in January 2005. Approximately 15,000 Iraqi Americans are living in US . US changed its decision on the status of Iraqis settled in US in 1946 . Unlike before Iraqis are now considered "whites" . Iraqi Americans are doing quite well in their respective fields , actress Alia Shaukat is a very big example of that . Iraq is basically divided into two countries - Arabs and Kurds . Since Kurds helped America to invade Iraq in 2003 , people of this community have certain limitations . Very few know that Iraq is one of the top three date producers in the world .
About half of Iraq is covered with desert . If you have ever witnessed a scorpion and thought " Man ! this is the biggest scorpion i have seen till date " then be ready to be surprised because Iraqi deserts have various kind of scorpions and some of them are as big as 8" . Viper , the most dangerous snake in the world is mostly found in Iraqi deserts . Inspite of being home to such dangerous animals , the national bird of Iraq is Chucker Partridge .The invasion of Iraq in 2003 caused a lot of damage to the Baghdad zoo which was once famous for housing about 600 animals . Currently only 50 animals are left in the zoo .
Image source : www.militaryphotos.net
www.penn.museum
www.enduringamerica.com
"My master is of churlish disposition and little recks to find the way to heaven by doing deeds of hospitality" These words of William Shakespeare hold great significance in Iraqi culture . Iraqis are known for their hospitality and love. They wouldn't mind giving away their finest possession to a person admiring it . Unlike other countries , eating quickly isn't considered cheap or mannerless but a sign of the food being delicious .Ironically Iraqis do not entertain pets during meals .
Their national cookie Kleicha is an example of commencement of the greatest civilization . It was in Sumer that the wheel was invented and Kleicha acquires its name from it .The impaled fish , Masgouf too finds its roots in Iraq . People who are unknown to Iraqi culture might be shocked to know that writing was invented in Iraq . In ancient Iraq , people used mud to build powerful cities which contributed to powerful empires . The Sumerians used hardened mud as a table . Though these tables were of clay they lead to the invention of inscription and thus writing .It is said that certain superstitious beliefs like "crossing of black cats" which are followed in countries like India were invented in Iraq . The famous story Ali Baba and The Forty Thief's which is a quite famous story in India was written in Iraq one thousand years ago . Some modern prediction methods like reading fortunes in the constellation was also invented in Iraq .
Iraqis are very conservative about their tradition . Traditionally marriages in Iraq are arranged and their obvious choice would be to marry their second cousin but things are changing due to migration of rural people to urban areas . Dance has a very crucial role in Iraqi culture . Hacha , is Iraq's traditional dance .It is quite similar to belly dance but involves more hand motion and less hip movement . The traditional Arabic music Maqam is inspired by ancient Arabic kings and is based on Arabic poetry . Very few know that honey is an important source of income in Iraq .
Iraq , majorly is an Islamic country with 97% of residents adopting Islam as their official religion .Just like Pakistan , Muslims in Iraq are divided into Shia and Sunni . The tussle between sunni and Shi'tes is a huge cause of concern in Iraq . Like true Mulims , Iraqi believe in living by the five pillars of Islam - There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Messenger, praying five times a day, giving money to the poor, fasting during the Islamic holy month and making pilgrimage to Mecca before dying ."The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of a martyr ” saying originated in the city of Baghdad in AD 762 when Baghdad became the capital of Abbasid dynasty . This was also known as "the golden Islamic age" as Abbasid built the “House of Wisdom” , giving more value to knowledge .
About half of Iraq is covered with desert . If you have ever witnessed a scorpion and thought " Man ! this is the biggest scorpion i have seen till date " then be ready to be surprised because Iraqi deserts have various kind of scorpions and some of them are as big as 8" . Viper , the most dangerous snake in the world is mostly found in Iraqi deserts . Inspite of being home to such dangerous animals , the national bird of Iraq is Chucker Partridge .The invasion of Iraq in 2003 caused a lot of damage to the Baghdad zoo which was once famous for housing about 600 animals . Currently only 50 animals are left in the zoo .
Image source : www.militaryphotos.net
www.penn.museum
www.enduringamerica.com
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