Seventeen years after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime and the ensuing American-led occupation of the country, Iraq continues to suffer from the consequences of state collapse.
From dismantling the army and police forces, to redesigning the Iraqi flag, rushed decisions were taken in 2003 to erase the immediate past without much thought for the future. When Iraq's ancient past was under threat, as exemplified by the looting of the Iraqi National Museum and the use of sand from archaeological sites for American army sandbags, once again little thought was given to the wider impact on the country.
Among the decisions that were made by the Coalition Provisional Authority, the American-led civilian authority running Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the invasion, was the abolition of Iraq’s National Day. For decades, National Day was July 17, 1968, marking the coup that brought the Baath party to power. Before that, National Day was July 14, marking the day that Abdulkareem Qassem’s military coup led to the killing of Iraq’s royal family members in 1958 and the declaration of a republic.
Even after the Baathists designated July 17 as the new National Day, July 14 remained a national holiday. Both dates are highly politicised and were hardly symbols of national unity.
In 2003, a number of political parties wanted to declare April 9, the day Saddam Hussein’s regime fell, as the National Day, but that is equally contentious and was rejected by most Iraqis. However, the day is still a national holiday in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
Since 2003, Iraq has not had a national day – an apt metaphor for the targeted attempts to weaken Iraq's national identity
Today, Iraq averages more than 12 public holidays per year that are tied to religious occasions. Additional public holidays include New Year’s Day, Army Day, Labour Day and Nowruz, the first day of spring. Since 2017, December 10 has been marked as “Victory Day”, celebrated as the day ISIS was declared “defeated” and no longer in control of any Iraqi territory. However, it is a bittersweet day for those who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
In effect, since 2003, Iraq has not had a national day – an apt metaphor for the targeted attempts to weaken Iraq’s national identity, often by political leaders who could not survive on a nationalist platform. Sectarian and ethnic divides were promoted over an Iraqi national identity.
With those divides came high levels of corruption and the erosion of state institutions. Iraq's Prime Minister, Mustafa Al Kadhimi, recognises the complexity of the problem and the impact of the weakening of Iraq's national identity on the country's fortunes. Speaking to me in an exclusive interview last month, Mr Al Kadhimi said he is working to tackle sectarianism and corruption equally, while promoting nationalism as part of his reform programme. "We will use all the strength we have to push for the principles of patriotism and nationalism," he said.
Last week, Iraq’s Cabinet agreed on a draft law to mark October 3 as Iraq’s National Day, to be celebrated for the first time this year. It is a sensible choice of date, commemorating the day Iraq joined the League of Nations in 1932, independent of the British Mandate.
Iraq's Culture Minister Hassan Nazim explained that "the importance of this day is that it is an official and international recognition of the establishment of the Iraqi state, to be among the first Arab (countries) to gain independence". However, the move still needs parliamentary ratification and is already contested.
The key battle here is that a number of prominent political parties work against the strengthening of Iraqi national identity, which would weaken their party programmes that rest on division and sectarianism.
Some say that other milestones in Iraqi history ought to be marked instead. And while reflecting upon history may bring alternative dates to mind, the declaration of Iraq’s independence as a modern nation-state is the most appropriate. It is a date filled with national pride and does not favour one political party or entity over another.
Countries all over the world cherish their national day as a moment for citizens to rally around what binds them together rather than what divides them. The coronation of a king or queen, the birth of a revolution, the declaration of independence and a coming together of a number of regions under one flag have all been inspirations for different national days.
Mr Al Kadhimi’s move to impose a national day is part of his effort to unite Iraqis – particularly younger ones – in feeling pride in their heritage and their potential future. Declaring a national day and uniting people over national symbols of culture like poetry and art are important steps in helping Iraq heal its wounds and work towards guarding its sovereignty. One measure alone won’t do it, but a concerted effort with measures like these can make the difference between a successful or failed state.
Francis Fukuyama, who has written extensively on identity, says that “national identity has been pivotal to the fortunes of modern states”. And while we must be weary of national identities that are exclusionary or dogmatic, they can be forged on commonalities that bring together diverse communities.
Fukuyama added in an article published in the Journal of Democracy in October 2018: “an inclusive sense of national identity remains critical to maintaining a successful, modern political order. National identity not only enhances physical security, but also inspires good governance; facilitates economic development; fosters trust among citizens; engenders support for strong social safety nets and ultimately makes possible liberal democracy itself.”
All of the characteristics listed by Fukuyama are part of the aspirations of young Iraqis. Perhaps the only contentious one is that tied to “liberal democracy”, as many of the attacks on Iraq’s national identity were carried out under the guise of “democracy”. Good governance, economic development and trust among citizens are the pillars that must be stood up in Iraq in order for a path towards a truly representative liberal democracy to be found.
Mina Al-Oraibi is editor-in-chief at The National
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Background: Chemical Weapons
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
More coverage from the Future Forum
The five pillars of Islam
More on Quran memorisation:
DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20John%20Francis%20Daley%20and%20Jonathan%20Goldstein%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Rege-Jean%20Page%2C%20Justice%20Smith%2C%20Sophia%20Lillis%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on Quran memorisation:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.4-litre%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470bhp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E637Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh375%2C900%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Read more about the coronavirus
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Thibaut%20Courtois%2C%20Simon%20Mignolet%2C%20Koen%20Casteels%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Jan%20Vertonghen%2C%20Toby%20Alderweireld%2C%20Leander%20Dendoncker%2C%20Zeno%20Debast%2C%20Arthur%20Theate%2C%20Wout%20Faes%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Hans%20Vanaken%2C%20Axel%20Witsel%2C%20Youri%20Tielemans%2C%20Amadou%20Onana%2C%20Kevin%20De%20Bruyne%2C%20Yannick%20Carrasco%2C%20Thorgan%20Hazard%2C%20Timothy%20Castagne%2C%20Thomas%20Meunier%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Romelu%20Lukaku%2C%20Michy%20Batshuayi%2C%20Lo%C3%AFs%20Openda%2C%20Charles%20De%20Ketelaere%2C%20Eden%20Hazard%2C%20Jeremy%20Doku%2C%20Dries%20Mertens%2C%20Leandro%20Trossard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
The years Ramadan fell in May
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
((Disclaimer))
The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.
More on Quran memorisation:
