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Leading Figures: Top 10 Renowned Iraqi Personalities

5 min read January 20, 2024

Iraqi culture has a rich history and has produced many notable celebrities and influential figures. Here are 10 of the most popular celebrities and public figures of Iraqi ethnicity:

  • Avicii (1989-2018): Born Tim Bergling, Avicii was a Swedish DJ, record producer, and songwriter. He is known for his electronic dance music hits, including “Levels,” “Wake Me Up,” and “Hey Brother.”
  • Zaha Hadid (1950-2016): Iraqi-British architect known for her innovative and futuristic designs. She won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, becoming the first woman to receive the award.
  • Nizar Qabbani (1923-1998): Syrian poet and diplomat of Iraqi origin. He is considered one of the most influential poets of the Arab world, known for his romantic and passionate verse.
  • Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997): Pakistani singer and musician of Iraqi origin. He was a master of Qawwali, a devotional music genre, and was known for his powerful vocals and energetic performances.
  • Huda Kattan (1983-present): Iraqi-American beauty blogger, makeup artist, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Huda Beauty, a cosmetics line that has gained immense popularity worldwide.
  • Amir El Saffar (1977-present): Iraqi-American composer and trumpet player. He is known for his融合音乐作品， combining elements of Iraqi music, jazz, and contemporary classical music.
  • Reem Acra (1963-present): Lebanese-American fashion designer of Iraqi origin. She is known for her glamorous evening gowns and bridal wear, which have been worn by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Angelina Jolie.
  • Sadiq Khan (1970-present): British politician who has served as the Mayor of London since 2016. He is the first Muslim to hold this position and is known for his progressive policies and his commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Yasmine Al Massri (1976-present): Lebanese-Egyptian actress of Iraqi origin. She is known for her roles in films such as “The Yacoubian Building” and “Cairo 678,” as well as the television series “Al Hayba.”
  • Raad Saleh (1991-present): Iraqi bodybuilder and powerlifter. He holds several world records in powerlifting and is known for his impressive strength and physique.
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is an Arab-majority country in West Asia and in the geopolitical region known as the Middle East. With a population of over 46 million, it is the 14th-most populous country on the Asian continent and the 33rd-most populous country in the world. It is a federal parliamentary republic that consists of 18 governorates. The country is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. The capital and largest city is Baghdad. The Iraqi people are diverse, with similarly diverse geography and wildlife. As part of the Arab and Muslim world, most Iraqis are Muslims – minority faiths include Christianity, Yazidism, Mandaeism, Yarsanism, and Zoroastrianism. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish; others also recognized in specific regions are Turkish (Turkmen), Suret (Assyrian), and Armenian.Starting as early as the 6th millennium BC, the fertile alluvial plains between Iraq's Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, referred to as Mesopotamia, gave rise to some of the world's earliest cities, civilizations, and empires in Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria. Mesopotamia was a "Cradle of Civilisation" that saw the inventions of a writing system, mathematics, timekeeping, a calendar, astrology, and a law code. Following the Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia, Baghdad became the capital and the largest city of the Abbasid Caliphate, and during the Islamic Golden Age, the city evolved into a significant cultural and intellectual center, and garnered a worldwide reputation for its academic institutions, including the House of Wisdom. The city was largely destroyed at the hands of the Mongol Empire in 1258 during the siege of Baghdad, resulting in a decline that would linger through many centuries due to frequent plagues and multiple successive empires. Modern Iraq dates to 1920, when the British Mandate for Mesopotamia was created under the authority of the League of Nations. A British-backed monarchy was established in 1921 under Faisal. The Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq gained independence from the UK in 1932. In 1958, the monarchy was overthrown and the Iraqi Republic created. Iraq was ruled by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party from 1968 until 2003, led by Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr and then by Saddam Hussein, as a one-party state. Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, sparking a protracted war that ended as a stalemate in 1988, with devastating losses for both sides. In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to global condemnation and a military campaign waged by a US-led international coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. A 2003 invasion launched by another US-led coalition as part of its "Global War on Terror" resulted in the defeat of Ba'athist Iraq and the execution of Saddam Hussein. Discontent with the de-Ba'athification policies of the Provisional Authority stirred up an anti-American insurgency, which escalated into a sectarian civil war. In 2005, a new constitution was adopted and multi-party parliamentary elections were held in Iraq. The Withdrawal of US troops from Iraq began in 2008, and the American occupation officially ended in 2011. Continued repression and sectarian policies of Nouri al-Maliki's Shia government caused the 2012–13 Iraqi protests, after which a coalition of Ba'athist and Sunni militias took up arms during the 2013 Anbar campaign. The climax of the campaign was the Northern Iraq offensive by the Islamic State group that marked its rapid territorial expansion, prompting the return of American troops to fight the War in Iraq, which lasted until 2017. Iran has also intervened in Iraq since 2014, expanding its influence through sectarian parties and Khomeinist militia groups, triggering widespread protests in Iraq.Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic. The president is the head of state, the prime minister is the head of government, and the constitution provides for two deliberative bodies, the Council of Representatives and the Council of Union. The judiciary is free and independent of the executive and the legislature. Iraq is considered an emerging middle power with a strategic location and a founding member of the United Nations, the OPEC as well as of the Arab League, OIC, Non-Aligned Movement, and the IMF. From 1920 to 2005, Iraq experienced spells of significant economic and military growth and briefer instability including wars.

Most Famous Iraqi People

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Iraqi Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Iraqi community is rich in history and culture, with a heritage that dates back thousands of years. From the ancient Mesopotamian civilization to the modern political landscape, Iraq has made significant contributions to the world. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Iraqi heritage:

1. Mesopotamian Civilization

The Mesopotamian civilization, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, is one of the most notable contributions of the Iraqi heritage. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, ancient Mesopotamia was home to several advanced and influential societies, such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and AsSyrians. These civilizations made groundbreaking achievements in fields like writing, mathematics, astronomy, and architecture.

  • They developed one of the earliest forms of writing known as cuneiform, which consisted of wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
  • The Babylonians introduced the concept of utilizing a base-60 system for measuring time, influencing the way we still count hours, minutes, and seconds today.
  • Advancements in astronomy by ancient Mesopotamians led to the creation of the first known maps of the sky, planetary observations, and the division of time into smaller units.

2. Islamic Golden Age

The Iraqi heritage is deeply intertwined with the Islamic Golden Age, a period of significant cultural, scientific, and intellectual achievements that spanned from the 8th to the 14th centuries. During this time, Iraq, specifically the city of Baghdad, thrived as one of the leading centers of learning and scholarship.

  • Academies and libraries were established, gathering scholars and fostering an environment conducive to intellectual pursuits.
  • Translation efforts were made to preserve and translate ancient Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic, leading to advancements in various disciplines.
  • Notable scholars such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, and Ibn Sina made significant contributions in the fields of mathematics, medicine, philosophy, and more.
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3. Ancient Architectural Marvels

Lastly, the Iraqi heritage is renowned for its ancient architectural marvels that have stood the test of time. From majestic ziggurats to grand palaces, these structures serve as a reminder of the intricate craftsmanship and engineering skills of their builders.

  • The ziggurat of Ur, built by the Sumerians, is one of the best-preserved ancient stepped pyramids in the world.
  • The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, were believed to be an architectural marvel showcasing elaborate terraced gardens.
  • The ancient city of Babylon, with its famous Ishtar Gate adorned with colorful glazed bricks, demonstrated the grandeur and artistic prowess of the Babylonians.

The Iraqi community takes great pride in these historical inheritances that are deeply rooted in its heritage. These contributions continue to have a lasting impact in various aspects of modern society, reminding us of the significance and richness of Iraqi culture.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Syrian, Faroese and Greenlandic roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Factsheet About Iraqi People

Ethnicity Population Percentage
Arab 23,000,000 75%
Kurdish 5,000,000 15%
Turkmen 2,000,000 6%
Assyrian 500,000 2%
Other 500,000 2%
Iraqis (Arabic: العراقيون) are people who originate from the country of Iraq.Iraqi Arabs are the largest ethnic group in Iraq, followed by Iraqi Kurds, then Iraqi Turkmen as the third largest ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Yazidis, Assyrians, Mandaeans, Armenians, and Marsh Arabs.Iraq consists largely of most of ancient Mesopotamia, the native land of the indigenous Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian civilizations, which was subsequently conquered, invaded and ruled by foreigners for centuries after the fall of the indigenous Mesopotamian empires. As a direct consequence of this long history, the contemporary Iraqi population comprises a significant number of different ethnicities. However, recent studies indicate that the different ethno-religious groups of Iraq (Mesopotamia) share significant similarities in genetics, likely due to centuries of assimilation between invading populations and the indigenous ethnic groups.The daily language of the majority of Iraqis is Mesopotamian Arabic, and has been ever since the Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia and the replacement of various Eastern Aramaic languages, most notably during the Abbasid Caliphate during which Baghdad became the capital of the caliphate and the center of Islamic Golden Age. However, Mesopotamian Arabic is considered to be the most Aramaic-influenced dialect of Arabic, due to Aramaic having originated in Mesopotamia, and spread throughout the Fertile Crescent during the Neo-Assyrian period, eventually becoming the lingua franca of the entire region prior to the Islamic invasions of Mesopotamia. In addition, Kurdish, Turkish (Turkmen), Neo-Aramaic and Mandaic are other languages spoken by Iraqis and recognized by Iraq's constitution.

The Ancient Heritage of Iraqi Ethnic Groups

References to the Iraqi Ethnic Group

There are several references and resources available to dig deeper into the Iraqi ethnic group and gain a better understanding of their culture, history, and traditions. These resources can provide insights into the diverse ethnic groups that make up Iraq and shed light on their customs, language, and contributions to society.

  • “The Ethnic Groups of Iraq: Demographic, Cultural and Historical Overview” by Hamit Bozarslan and Atesha Stibbe provides a comprehensive overview of the ethnic groups in Iraq. It delves into their historical development, cultural practices, and societal interactions.
  • “The Kurds: A Modern History” by Michael M. Gunter is an in-depth exploration of the Kurdish people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Iraq. It examines their history, political struggles, and aspirations for self-governance.
  • “The Marsh Arabs of Iraq: A Millennium-Old Way of Life” by Lenore K. Adelman provides insights into the unique lifestyle and cultural heritage of the Marsh Arabs, also known as the Ma’dan. It explores their traditional reed house architecture, socioeconomic activities, and their adaptations to the marsh environment.
  • “Iraq: People & Culture” is a documentary by Global Trek that offers a visual exploration of Iraq’s ethnic groups. It highlights their customs, traditions, and daily life, providing a closer look at the diverse cultures within the country.
  • “The Yazidis: The History, Culture, and Future of a Persecuted Minority” by Birgül Açıkyıldız provides insights into the religious beliefs, customs, and challenges faced by the Yazidi community in Iraq. It offers a historical perspective and examines their distinctive religious practices.
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These resources offer valuable information to anyone interested in delving deeper into the Iraqi ethnic group, their history, culture, and traditions. Through these references, one can gain a better understanding of the rich diversity that exists within Iraq.

We have reached the end of our exploration into the extraordinary lives of prominent Iraqi. We hope this journey has been enlightening and inspiring.

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Syarif Muhamad

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