Irreligion in Iraq
Irreligion in Iraq has a societal, political and historical background. Although the Constitution of Iraq guarantees freedom from religious coercion, and states that all citizens are equal before the law without regard to religion, sect, or belief, irreligious people may encounter difficulties with the authorities. Another source of problem is usually the community and family, with reactions varying from one family to another. The “Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism” listed Iraq as one of six countries as having the lowest rate of atheism in 2012. After six years, with religious figures coming to power, the situation changed rapidly as the tide of religiosity receded. According to various Iraqi thinkers, this occurred after the religious politicians came to power, and their role in sectarianism and state corruption, and by regularly occupying television slots to spread their agendas. The increasing prevalence of atheism and agnosticism signals a tidal public opinion change.[1][2]
There aren't any exact numbers as atheists fear persecution especially from religious militias and many fear telling their families or friends about their beliefs.[3] An unknown number of Iraqis left Islam due to religious terrorism and corruption of Islamic politicians, especially after many conflicts.[4][5][6][7]
List of non–religious Iraqis[edit]
- Faisal Saeed Al Mutar Iraqi-born satirist, human-rights activist and writer who was admitted to the United States as a refugee in 2013.
- Bashshar ibn Burd Poet of the late Umayyad and early Abbasid periods.
- Rifat Chadirji Iraqi architect, photographer, author and activist. He is admired as the greatest modern architect of Iraq, and taught at the Baghdad School of Architecture for many years.
- Sami Michael Iraqi-Israeli author, first in Israel to call for the creation of an independent Palestinian state to exist alongside Israel.
- Khazal Al Majidi Iraqi scholar of religion and ancient civilizations.
- Jim Al-Khalili Iraqi-British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster.[8]
- Selim Matar Writer, novelist and sociologist with Swiss and Iraqi nationalities, was born in Baghdad and resides currently in Geneva.
See also[edit]
- 2019-2021 Iraqi protests
- Christianity in Iraq
- Demographics of Iraq
- Freedom of religion in Iraq
- Islam in Iraq
- Persecution of atheists in Islamic countries
- Persecution of atheists in the Middle East
- Religion in Iraq
References[edit]
- ^ "Iraq's growing community of atheists no longer peripheral | Nazli Tarzi". AW. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ "Common analysis - Iraq".
- ^ "Iraqis Shocked as Atheism Creeps in". IslamOnline. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ "Violence Leaves Young Iraqis Doubting Clerics". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
- ^ "A life without God in Iraq: This 22-year-old atheist has been called the "Baghdad converter"". albawaba. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
- ^ "Iraqi Secular Trend Responds to Religious Extremism". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
- ^ "Iraqi atheists demand recognition, guarantee of their rights". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
- ^ Jim Al-Khalili. Science Explorer: Jim Al-Khalili featured in The Life Scientific. BBC Radio 4.
I find it more comfortable to say I'm an atheist, and for that I probably have someone like Dawkins to thank.
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