Secularism in modernIraq dates back to the14 July Revolution of 1958 which overthrew theKingdom of Iraq'sHashemite dynasty and established theIraqi Republic.[1]Islam is the official state religion of Iraq, but the constitution, guarantees freedom of religious belief and practices forMuslims,Christians,Yazidis andSabean-Mandaeans.[2]
The secularIraqi Communist Party was the country's largest movement between the 1940s and 1960s, and was founded by activists from different backgrounds.[3]
Since the2003 invasion of Iraq, Iraqi society has experienced crises in its transition from a strong centralized state under the secularBaʿth Party to a state dominated by Shia Islamist parties.[4] In particularsectarian violence increased dramatically.[5] In 2006,OpenDemocracy reported that the regime change had damaged the secularism ofBa'athist Iraq.[6] The emergence of theIslamic State of Iraq presented a challenge to secularism.[7]
Since the end of theWar in Iraq, secularism has grown in the country.[8] In 2010, it was reported that Iraq was moving towards secularism.[9] The growth of a secular, non-sectarian middle class has been seen.[10]
