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Country: Iraq
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Country: Iraq
Did You Know?
- The world's first known civilization existed in Iraq about 5,500 years ago!
- Archaeologists have found evidence of cuneiform (the oldest known written language) in the ruins of the ancient region of Sumer.
- Sumerians, Iraq's earliest inhabitants, invented the wheel to help them move heavy objects.
Religion
Ninety-seven percent of Iraqis are Muslims, or followers of Islam. Around two-thirds of these are Shi'is and a third are Sunnis. The small non-Muslim population consists mainly of Christians (mostly Roman Catholic), Mandaeans, Yazidis, and Jews. Islam is a monotheistic religion, meaning Muslims believe in only one God (Allah). Muslims study their holy book, the Qur'an (Koran), which they believe God revealed to the prophet Mohammad through the angel Gabriel. Muslims pray five times a day and fast (don't eat or drink) during the month of Ramadan between sunrise and sunset. If they have the means to do so, Muslims are expected to make the hajj (pilgrimage) to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lives.
Schools
Schooling in Iraq is free, and, where circumstances allow, children attend from age six until they finish secondary (high) school. Partly because of the wars in Iraq, few new schools have been built, and books and supplies are hard to come by. The government has little money to pay teachers' salaries. Many families live in poverty and have been forced to keep their children at home to help out. Today, only half of Iraqi children go on to secondary school, which lasts for six years and prepares students to go on to a university or trade school. Unlike some Arab countries, Iraq has traditionally actively encouraged the education of women and girls.
Life as a Kid
There aren't many organized after-school programs in Iraq, so some kids help their parents with work, especially if they run a small business or family restaurant. Other kids spend their time playing different games and sports. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Iraq, as it is throughout the Middle East. Children usually practice their football skills after they get home from school and on weekends. If no fields are available, they play in narrow alleys or courtyards. Since the weather is mild in the winter, kids can play outside all year round. A growing number of kids play video games, Nintendo, and other computer games. After dinner they usually do their homework, watch TV with the family, and go to bed.
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