110 Cities

North Iraqi Arab in Iraq

Since the ousting of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq has been in a state of turmoil. Commonly, the three main groups, Sunni Muslim Arabs, Shia Muslim Arabs and Kurds have managed to take over one another’s homelands, sometimes bulldozing homes and driving their rivals to becoming Internally Displace Persons (IPPs), or refugees outside their country. Since there is very little willingness to share power for the common good, Iraqi Arabs will face poverty and misery for years to come.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Iraqi Arabs. Most are either Sunni or Shia Muslim, the latter being unusual for Arabs. There has been great strife between the Sunni and Shia Muslims for political control for many years. The Shias are allied with their religious counterparts over the border in Iran. They are in the category of the “Twelvers,” meaning they follow 12 imams (teachers), the 12th being Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, whom they believe will someday return to bring peace and justice to the world. Shia Muslims also stress victimhood and martyrdom, and they commemorate events where their leaders were killed. The latter might be a possible bridge to the death of Christ on the cross. There are also some traditional Christians among the Iraqi Arabs.

Prayer Points

Pray for peace and justice in Baghdad and Iraq in general. Pray for the Iraqi Arabs to have the willingness to cooperate with all factors, allowing their country to rebuild. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead Iraqi Muslims to Jesus Christ as the answer to their spiritual needs. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among Iraqi Arabs.