Afro-Iraqi in Iraq

Introduction / History

The ancestors of Iraq’s Afro-Iraqis were victims of the African slave trade. They arrived in the 800s from East Africa and most worked on farms. Basra was the center of the slave trade in Iraq, and most Afro-Iraqis still live in that southern city. They could own land and converting to Shia Islam was a good way to earn freedom. Many of them still speak Swahili, a trade language in East Africa, along with Iraqi Arabic. A smaller number of Afro-Iraqis came to Iraq as sailors.

After the Saddam Hussein was ousted from power in 2003, Afro-Iraqis began to become politically active. Their first leader, Jalal Thiyab, was assassinated.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some complain of ethnic discrimination that keeps them from having good jobs. Some are given the pejorative title of “abeed,” meaning slave. Typically the Afro-Iraqis are street musicians, day laborers or domestic workers. Those who are street musicians are often harassed by hard line Islamists who believe their music is unislamic.

It’s rare for an Afro-Iraqi to marry an Arab. When they do, there is usually rejection by the Arab family.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Afro-Iraqis are Shia Muslims, but they blend in a liberal dose of traditional African rituals with their form of Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

Basra's Al-Zubeir district, where a high percentage of the Afro-Iraqis live, lack clean water and sewage. This ethnic group has a high rate of illiteracy and unemployment.

Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Afro-Iraqi people.
Pray for the Afro-Iraqi people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Afro-Iraqi people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Afro-Iraqi communities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project