LANSING, MI
Iraq
Cultural Backgrounder
Iraq
CAUSES OF THE REFUGEE PROBLEM
It is estimated that over 4 million Iraqis have been displaced by the war in
Iraq and its aftermath. About 2 million have found asylum in neighboring
countries, such as Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, and Turkey.
Because many Iraqis are not able to return safely to Iraq or to settle
permanently in the countries to which they have fled, Western nations such
as the U.S. have been resettling those deemed to be at the greatest risk.
2014
People have fled from Iraq for various reasons. For Muslims, the Sunni –
Shi’i violence is the most common reason. In addition, members of nonMuslim minorities are becoming increasingly targeted for religious reasons
or because of their ethnicity. Some Iraqis have faced persecution based on
political, occupational, and gender reasons. Furthermore, Iraqis who had
previously fled to Syria are being displaced for a second time due to the
current Syrian civil war.
The current refugee crisis is also stemming from those trying to flee the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The group ISIS is targeting religious
and ethnic minorities, such as Yazidis and Christians. These groups have a
history of persecution in the area. For instance, the Yazidis have been
subject to at least 72 genocidal massacres in their history.
Cultural Facts

There are 28 letters in the
Arabic alphabet, and words
are written from right to
left.

Hospitality is a cherished
Islamic tradition, which is
held strong among Iraqis.

The area of Iraq is the
birthplace of the oldest
human civilization in the
world – responsible for the
invention of the wheel, and
the beginning of the study
of astronomy, math, law,
literature, and more.
Experiences of the Refugee Population
Iraqi refugees, unlike refugees in other parts of the world, mostly do not
live in camps isolated from the host country population. They generally live
in and around urban communities in the host country. But the large
numbers of displaced people have been placing strains on the available
resources in these countries. This has led to a lack of services for the Iraqi
refugee population, such as health care, employment, and education.
CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER
| IRAQ
REFUGEES COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
Refugees from Iraq have been persecuted for
a number of reasons, including religion,
occupation, politics, and gender.
2
Characteristics of the Refugee Population
About 95% of Iraq’s population is Muslim. There are 3 main Christian
groups in Iraq comprising between 4% and 5% of the population: the
Assyrian, Chaldean, and the Jacobites. There are other ethnic groups in
Iraq, such as the Turkomen, Yazidis, Sabeans, Ma’dan, and the Kurds.
The Kurds make up about 18% of the population, are mostly Muslim,
and operate a semi-autonomous region in the northeastern part of Iraq.
Every community in Iraq is at risk to be targeted for violence, but
Assyrian and Chaldean are at an increased risk.
About 77% of Iraqis speak Arabic as their first language, and there are
more than 15 dialects of spoken Arabic. The Iraqi refugee population
includes a variety of occupational backgrounds, including highly
trained professionals, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled individuals.
Mass influxes of Iraqis have been forced to
leave their homes due to being targeted for
persecution and violence by the Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
FAST FACTS
95%
Of the Iraqi population is Muslim
77%
Of Iraqis speak Arabic as their first
language
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.culturalorientation.net
/learning/populations/iraq
Most Iraqi refugees have at least basic reading and writing skills. Prior
to 2003, education in Iraq was mandatory through grade 6. English
proficiency varies among Iraqi refugees, but most have at least a basic
proficiency. Prior to the Gulf War, however, Iraq had one of the best
educational systems in the Middle East.
Among Iraqi Arabs, the family is the center of life and it determines
and individual’s social status. Loyalty and duty are strong values. Iraq
is a patriarchal society where men hold the final authority. Many
marriages are still arranged, although today men and women can often
find opportunities to meet each other. The emergence of fundamentalist
groups in recent years has placed more restrictions on women.
Food in Iraq is similar to Greek, Persian, and Turkish cuisine, with a
preponderance of lamb and heavy use of oils and spices. Rice combined
with vegetables and meat is common. Muslims do not eat pork, and
prefer to buy meat from halal butchers, who sell meat only from
animals that have been slaughtered according to Koranic ritual.
Contact the Refugee Development Center at:
122 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 253-8025
[email protected]
Or visit our website at:
www.refugeedevelopmentcenter.org
LANSING, MI
Iraq