Discover
The identity of the nation
Iraq occupies the heart of ancient Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where Sumer, Babylon and Assyria flourished, some of the earliest civilizations of humanity. It is also a land of deep biblical roots: tradition ties this region to Abraham, who set out from Ur of the Chaldeans, and to the Babylonian captivity. Today the country is home to about 46 million people, with Baghdad as its capital and largest city.
The population is predominantly Arab, with a large Kurdish minority concentrated in the north, alongside Turkmen, Assyrians, Yazidis and other peoples. Arabic and Kurdish are the official languages; Syriac and Turkmen are recognized where they have speakers. Islam is the dominant faith, divided between Shia Muslims, a majority in the center and south, and Sunni Muslims, strong in the center north and among the Kurds.
Iraq is one of the cradles of Christianity in the East. Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac communities keep ancient liturgies, and in some villages prayers are still offered in Aramaic, a language close to what Jesus spoke. These churches, however, have shrunk dramatically, from about 1.5 million Christians in 2003 to fewer than 200,000 today, after decades of war, exodus and, above all, the violence of the Islamic State against the Christians of the Nineveh Plain in 2014.
The nation carries both wealth and wounds. It holds the fifth largest oil reserves in the world, yet lives with political instability, corruption, unemployment and the trauma of successive conflicts. The youth population is enormous: much of the population is under 25 and seeks to rebuild life and hope.
In spiritual terms, Iraq is largely made up of unreached peoples: Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and Yazidis live with very little access to the gospel, and dozens of languages still have no Scripture. The historic churches endure amid pressure, and there are signs of a search for God, especially among those displaced by war. It is an ancient land once again crying out for restoration.
- Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is the cradle of writing and the first cities; Sumer, Akkad, Babylon and Assyria flourish there.
- 1792 BC Reign of Hammurabi in Babylon, known for his code of laws.
- 539 BC Babylon falls to the Persians, after the period when the Jewish people live in the Babylonian captivity.
- 7th-8th century Arab conquest and islamization; Baghdad becomes capital of the Abbasid caliphate and a world center of learning.
- 1258 The Mongols sack Baghdad, ending the Abbasid splendor.
- 1534 The region comes under Ottoman Empire rule for nearly four centuries.
- 1920 After the First World War, it becomes a British mandate.
- 1932 Independence as the Kingdom of Iraq.
- 1958 A coup topples the monarchy and proclaims the republic.
- 1979 Saddam Hussein becomes president and establishes an authoritarian regime.
- 1980 Start of the Iran-Iraq war, which lasts until 1988 and devastates the economy.
- 1990 Invasion of Kuwait leads to the Gulf War and years of sanctions.
- 2003 US-led invasion topples Saddam Hussein.
- 2014 The Islamic State seizes Mosul and the Nineveh Plain; Christians and Yazidis suffer persecution and mass exodus.
- 2017 Territorial defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq.
- Today A Muslim-majority nation in reconstruction, with weakened ancient churches and vast unreached peoples.
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Arabicofficial, language of the majority of the population
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Kurdishofficial, spoken mainly in the north (Iraqi Kurdistan)
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Turkmenrecognized where it has speakers, Turkmen minority
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Syriac (Neo-Aramaic)recognized, used by Assyrian and Chaldean Christian communities
Iraq lies in the Middle East, in ancient Mesopotamia, crossed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that flow from the mountains of the north to the Persian Gulf. The territory combines Kurdish mountains in the northeast, vast alluvial plains in the center, deserts to the west and south, and the southern marshes, ancient wetlands where the Marsh Arabs once lived.
Major cities
- BaghdadCapital and largest city, on the banks of the Tigris
- BasraMain port and oil hub, in the far south
- MosulMajor northern city, near ancient Nineveh
- ErbilCapital of Iraqi Kurdistan, with its millennia-old citadel
- Najaf and KarbalaHoly cities of Shia Islam, pilgrimage centers
Climate and temperature
Masgouf
Tigris carp split open, seasoned and slow-grilled over embers, Iraq's national dish.
Dolma
Grape leaves and vegetables stuffed with rice, meat and herbs, a heritage shared across the region.
Kubba
Bulgur wheat dumplings filled with ground meat and spices, fried or boiled.
Iraqi biryani
Aromatic rice with meat, nuts and raisins, balancing spice and sweetness.
Tashreeb
Flatbread soaked in rich lamb or chicken broth, comfort food.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Generous hospitality
Welcoming and feeding a guest is an honor; refusing food can be seen as an insult.
Family at the center
Kinship and clan ties guide social life and important decisions.
Faith that shapes daily life
Islam shapes the calendar, food and rhythms of the day for the majority.
Ancient heritage
Iraqis take pride in living in the land of the first civilizations and of Arabic poetry.
Mosaic of peoples
Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians and Yazidis live together with their own identities and languages.
Memory of suffering
Decades of war have left deep scars and a strong desire for peace and reconstruction.
- Eating or passing objects with the left hand It is considered impure for meals; use the right hand.
- Dressing immodestly Society is conservative; modest clothing is expected, especially for women.
- Photographing military posts and checkpoints It can be seen as a security threat.
- Eating or smoking in public during Ramadan It disrespects the fast observed by the majority.
- Starting heated political or religious discussions A sensitive topic in a country marked by divisions and conflicts.
- Public displays of affection They are frowned upon and can cause embarrassment.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
The Muslim faith defines social belonging, and converting is seen as betrayal of family and people.
Tensions between the branches of Islam fuel distrust and conflict.
Armed groups and extremism have left a trail of fear and instability.
Ancient communities have emptied out through persecution and emigration.
Oil wealth is siphoned off through misappropriation, undermining trust in institutions.
Decades of conflict have wounded entire families and marked generations.
Pressure to preserve family honor makes personal choices of faith difficult.
Yazidis, Assyrians and other peoples live threatened and forgotten.
An economy tied to oil deepens inequality and fragility.
Unemployment and lack of prospects push many young people toward discouragement or emigration.
Iraq ranks among the countries where it is hardest to live as a Christian. Although the Islamic State was defeated territorially, its scars remain: the takeover of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain in 2014 caused a mass exodus of Christians, Yazidis and other minorities, and many were never able to safely return.
Pressure on Christians comes from several fronts. Armed militias control historically Christian regions, occupy land and hinder the return of families. Converts from Islam face rejection from their own family and community, and can rarely live out their faith openly. The historic churches, Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac, endure, but have shrunk dramatically, from about 1.5 million faithful in 2003 to fewer than 200,000 today.
Despite this fragility, the Iraqi church remains a living witness in a land of ancient biblical roots. Amid loss and displacement, there are communities that persevere, welcome the wounded and keep the prayer for their nation alive.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Iraq is largely made up of unreached peoples. Arabs (the majority, divided between Shia and Sunni), Kurds, Turkmen and Yazidis live with very little access to the gospel, and dozens of languages still have no Scripture. The historic Christian communities, Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac, have survived for centuries but have shrunk greatly after wars and persecution. The field is vast: most of the population has never heard a clear presentation of Christ in their own language and culture.
- 46M Unreached 98,5%
- 0 Minimally reached 0%
- 148K Superficially reached 0,3%
- 547K Partially reached 1,2%
- 0 Significantly reached 0%
- 27 Unreached 81,8%
- 0 Minimally reached 0%
- 4 Superficially reached 12,1%
- 2 Partially reached 6,1%
- 0 Significantly reached 0%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Yazidi
Árabe catarense
Árabe dos Pântanos
Árabe Egípcio Muçulmano
Turkmen of the Middle East Frontier
Árabe Palestino
Bajelani
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
well below the Western average
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Bring cash: foreign cards rarely work; dollars and euros are useful.
- Dress modestly: society is conservative, especially outside major cities.
- Keep track of the security situation, which varies greatly by region; Kurdistan tends to be more stable.
- Learn greetings in Arabic: a greeting like assalamu alaikum opens doors and shows respect.
- Respect Ramadan: avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during the daytime fast.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.