Public Relations in Iraq

Prepared by Jonathan Rochester

Printable version (pdf)

Part 1: Background information

Official Name:
Conventional Long Form: Republic of Iraq
Conventional Short Form: Iraq

Capital City: Baghdad

Major Cities: Baghdad, Basrah

Official Language: Arabic and Kurdish; Regional dialects include: Aramaic, Armenian, Feyli, Persian, South Azeri.

Type of Government: Islamic, democratic, federal parliamentary republic. The federal government is composed of the executive, legislative, judicial and numerous independent commissions.

Location: Western Asia, Geography — northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, eastern part of the Syrian Desert and northern part of the Arabian Desert.

Currency: Iraqi Dinar

Culture:

Iraq is an Islamic country that has been in and out of wars throughout the centuries. It is home to one of the oldest cultural histories. Iraq is where the Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations resided. This has given Iraq a very rich heritage. Despite its rich heritage, war has shaped Iraq deeply— as early as the 7th century during the Islamic Golden Age, the 13th century with the Mongol Invasion, and the 14th and 15th centuries with the Ottoman Empire, which ruled until WWI. British Occupation of Iraq lasted through WWI until 1932, when Britain granted Iraq independence. The multiple centuries of fighting have developed this culture somewhat savagely. War has continued to shape Iraq to this day, from Iran in the 1980’s and the United States since 1991.

According to a 2009 estimate, the total Iraqi population is 31,234,000. The breakdown of the total is: 75-80 percent Arab, 15-20 percent Kurd, and 5 percent Syriacs and Iraqi Turkmen. Within these demographics, the religious breakdown consists of 97 percent Muslim and 3 percent of Christians or other religious affiliations. This is integral to understanding the common courtesies and customs of the Iraqi people. Religion is intertwined in every aspect of its culture — music, art, entertainment, commerce, and government — and there is no separation of church and state. The Arabic phrase Inshallah, which is translated “God willing,” is the basis for how their concept of time is oriented. Western culture is deeply routed in a concept of punctuality and linear time. It bases its understanding in time equals money. Like other Arab cultures, timeliness is less than first on the agenda. If a meeting was to be 15 minutes to an hour late, it is totally acceptable; even looked as equal as how western civilization dictates “on time. Setting a time for a meeting is a more flexible guideline. It is more of a time estimate rather than the time the meeting will actually begin. Some concepts of time are interchangeable. Although the Gregorian calendar is usually followed, there is also a more esteemed calendar in Iraq called the Islamic calendar.

Here are a few holidays In the Iraqi culture that should be noted:
• January 1- Iraq’s Independence Day
• January 6 - Armed Forces Day
• May 1 - Labor Day
• July 14 - Republic Day
• October 3 - National Day

There are also two major holidays that have tentative dates: the Islamic New Year and Ramadan.

The Islamic New Year, known as Ras as-Sana al-Hijreya, marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. It is a highly celebrated day.

Ramadan is the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month of fasting, and the holiest period for the Islamic faith. It is a time when, from dusk until dawn, Muslims will not eat, drink, or have sexual relations. It is not a specific date on the Gregorian calendar and the dates vary from year to year, approximately eleven days each year. Traditional music and art of Iraq are very well known. Some handmade goods are also prized, including: rugs, satchels, purses, art, sculpture and pottery, as well as various woven goods.

Iraq’s music is especially known for the Oud, which is a lute-like instrument. Also, the Iraqi National Orchestra has in recent years been re-established and performs globally. Among the younger generation, pop, rap, and wider musical genres are known and have been cultivated by the western influence during the wars.

As in other Arab nations, the left hand is used for sanitary activities, including the restroom; the right hand is used for eating or passing food, and greeting. Never use your left hand to shake or eat, it is considered an insult and embarrassing. Iraqis are a very passionate people and will use their body language extensively, including hand gestures. Another action that may seem irrelevant in western culture is showing the bottom of your foot. You never show the bottom of your foot or bottom of your shoe to anyone. It is a sign of deep insult and is worse than the western equivalent of “flipping the bird.”

One should be mindful that when interacting with Iraqi’s, body language and tone are key to a potentially good relationship, so the smallest insignificant body movement could be detrimental to a good business relationship.

Part 2: Overview of the public relations industry

According to the CIA Handbook: “... the number of private radio and television stations has increased rapidly since 2003; government-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly-funded Iraqi Public Broadcasting Service; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to an estimated 70 percent of viewers, and many of the broadcasters, are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible.” (2007)

Part 3: Overview of public relations as it relates to students

References:
1. “Iraq Guide,” Business.maktoob.com. Retrieved 11-27-2010.
2. “Iraq — Britannica Online Encyclopedia,” Britannica.com. Retrieved 11-27-2010.
3. Krepinevich, Andrew F.,“How to Win in Iraq,” Foreign Affairs, September/October 2005.
4. Russell, Claire and W.M.S., “Population Crises and Population Cycles.”
5. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iz.html
6. www.cis.gsu.edu, Hill, Loch, Straub, El-Sheshai, “A Qualitative Assessment of Arab Culture and Information Technology Transfer.”
7. www.hrw.org, “Human Rights Watch on Iraq,” Retrieved 11-27-2010.