Colors of the Flag

The red is used to symbolize the courage and struggles of the nation. The black represents both the
oppression and triumph of the Islamic religion. The color white symbolizes the future of Iraq and the
generosity of its people. The green is a color that is associated with Islam.

The president, who is nominated by the Council of Representatives and who is limited to two four-year
terms, holds what is largely a ceremonial position. The head of state presides over state ceremonies,
receives ambassadors, endorses treaties and laws, and awards medals and honours. The president also
calls upon the leading party in legislative elections to form a government (the executive), which consists
of the prime minister and the cabinet and which, in turn, must seek the approval of the Council of
Representatives to assume power. The executive is responsible for setting policy and for the day-to-day
running of the government. The executive also may propose legislation to the Council of
Representatives.

The Council of Representatives does not have a set number of seats but is based on a formula of one
representative for every 100,000 citizens. Ministers serve four-year terms and sit in session for eight
months per year. The council’s functions include enacting federal laws, monitoring the performance of
the prime minister and the president, ratifying foreign treaties, and approving appointments; in
addition, it has the authority to declare war.

Religion

Islam is the most common religion in Iraq. Iraq's Muslims follow two distinct traditions, Shia and Sunni
Islam. According to CIA World Factbook, Iraq is approximately 95% to 98% Muslim. Iraq is home to many
religious sites important for both Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Christianity was brought to Iraq in 40's AD/CE by Thomas the Apostle, Thaddaeus of Edessa and his
pupils Aggagi and Mari. Thomas and Thaddeus belonged to the twelve Apostles.[10] Iraq's Original
People and Indigenous Assyrian people represent roughly 3%-5% of the population (earlier CIA
Factbook), mostly living in Northern Iraq, concentrated in the Ninewa and Dahuk governorates. There
are no official statistics, and estimates vary greatly. In 1950 Assyrian Christians may have numbered 10–
12% of the population of 5.0 million. They were 8% or 1.4 in a population of 16.3 million in 1987 and 1.5
million in 2003 of 26 million. Emigration has been high since the 1970s. Since the 2003 Iraq War. There
has been no official census since 2003, when the Assyrian Christian population in Iraq numbered 1.2–2.1
million.

The Yazidis are a group[11] in Iraq who number just over 650,000. Yazidism, or Sherfedin, dates back to
pre-Islamic times. Mosul is the principal holy site of the Yazidi faith. The holiest Yazid shrine is that of
Sheikh Adi located at the necropolis of Lalish.