Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 417 Facebook posts trending on December 23, 2024, the primary narratives in Iraq revolve around the official activities of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, who was featured meeting with international defense contractors, visiting the judiciary, and chairing high-level energy meetings. Other significant topics include tributes for a prominent late tribal leader, announcements regarding a new uniform for the Iraqi Army, and public service issues, most notably a worsening electricity crisis attributed to a halt in Iranian gas supplies. Social media conversations also focused on political controversies, such as a former MP’s photo in Damascus, and public reactions to a journalist’s remarks about a sanitation worker.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. PM Al-Sudani’s High-Level Government Engagements

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s activities were a central focus, with his official page and the Prime Minister’s Media Office providing updates. The Engineer Mohamed Shia Al Sudani (Post Impact: 11%) reported on his meeting with representatives from the Korean company (KAI) for Aerospace Industries to discuss developing Iraq’s air defense capabilities and diversifying its armament sources. In a separate post, his page (Post Impact: 11%) covered his visit to the new Federal Supreme Court building, where he met with its president, Jasim Mohammed Abboud, and emphasized the government’s support for the judiciary and the rule of law. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 9%) announced that Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on energy projects to address the ongoing halt of associated gas flaring and to discuss fuel supplies for power stations.

2. Tributes and Condolences for Sheikh Taklif Al Dana

The passing of Sheikh Taklif Al Dana, a prominent tribal leader, prompted messages of respect and condolences. The actor Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 19%) shared a personal and touching anecdote, relaying a message he received from one of the late Sheikh’s relatives. While in the hospital, Sheikh Al Dana had asked his companion to convey his gratitude to Nasser for a post he had written about him, a gesture Nasser highlighted as a testament to the Sheikh’s great character and humility. In a related post, MP Mohammed Nuri Aziz (Post Impact: 2%) shared a video of the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, visiting the Sheikh’s mourning council in Diwaniyah to offer his condolences to the family and tribe.

3. Iraqi Army to Receive New Uniform

Several pages announced that the Iraqi Army is set to receive a new military uniform. Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Homeland Protectors (Post Impact: 11%) shared a video showcasing the new design and color. In another post (Post Impact: 5%), the page clarified that the distribution of the new uniform to all military units will begin on Saturday, with the official changeover date set for January 6th. The news was also covered by Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 4%), confirming the date for the uniform change.

4. Judiciary Summons MP Bassem Khashan for Investigation

Media personality Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 15%) reported that the judiciary has issued a summons for Member of Parliament Bassem Khashan. According to the post, the summons was issued following a complaint filed by Al-Hamdani himself. The post further stated that the judiciary has formally requested that the Iraqi Parliament lift parliamentary immunity from Khashan to allow for him to be brought in for investigation regarding the complaint.

5. Condolences for Sports Reporter Wissam Al-Yasiri

The Iraqi sports community mourned the death of sports correspondent Wissam Al-Yasiri. Prominent former footballer Younis Mahmoud (Post Impact: 12%) posted a message of condolence, announcing that Al-Yasiri had passed away in a car accident. Mahmoud extended his sympathies to the deceased’s family, friends, and the broader press community, praying that God grants him paradise and gives his loved ones patience and solace.

6. Parker Solar Probe’s Historic Approach to the Sun

The page Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 10%) reported on what it called a “dangerous and historic test” for NASA’s Parker Solar Probe. The probe is scheduled for a flyby of the Sun at an unprecedentedly close distance of just 6 million kilometers, while reaching a record-breaking speed of 690,000 kilometers per hour. The page highlighted the significance of the event, noting that no man-made object has ever been so close to the Sun, especially during its solar maximum period when it is most active. According to the post, scientists will lose contact during the approach and will have to wait a full day to learn if the probe survived the perilous journey.

7. Electricity Crisis Worsens Amid Iranian Gas Cut

Pages across Facebook reported on the deteriorating electricity situation in Iraq, blaming a halt in gas supplies from Iran. According to Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 3%) and Kuluna Al Iraq (Post Impact: 2%), the spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity stated that Iran cut the gas supply a month ago and is refusing to accept a payment of $1.9 billion towards its total debt. The spokesperson reportedly expressed frustration, stating, “I give six billion dollars for… gas, and when I talk about ministries that for 30 years have left our gas to burn, they tell me SHUT UP.” Meanwhile, Al Qasr Al Hukoumi (Post Impact: 4%) defended the Minister of Electricity, arguing he inherited the problem and that his solutions, such as solar power projects, require time to implement.

8. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali Sparks Controversy with Photo in Damascus

A photo posted by former Iraqi MP Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali caused a stir on social media. Pages like Yalla (Post Impact: 3%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 4%) reported that Al-Sheikh Ali shared an image of himself, allegedly with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the new administration in Syria. The post was captioned, “How beautiful are the streets of Damascus with its new leaders!” and included a hashtag referencing Iraq’s Tishreen (October) protest movement. The posts noted the widespread debate the photo generated, with Al-Sheikh Ali reportedly confirming its authenticity by replying to skeptics with, “I swear it’s real.”

9. Journalist Fatima Qaidar Criticized for “Foul” Remark

Journalist Fatima Qaidar faced significant backlash on social media for comments she made during a video segment. As reported by Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%) and Nafs Al Iraq (Post Impact: 2%), criticism erupted after Qaidar was seen taking a photo with a family and referred to the presence of a sanitation worker in the background as a “foul.” The pages highlighted that her choice of words was widely perceived as offensive and demeaning to sanitation workers, sparking calls for her to issue an apology.

10. Students’ Heartwarming Gesture for School Janitor

A video showing a heartwarming act of kindness by students towards their school’s janitor was shared by multiple pages. Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%) and Min Al Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) posted the clip, explaining that the elderly janitor cleans the entire school every morning before the students arrive. To show their appreciation for his dedication and hard work, a group of female students decided to surprise him with gifts. The pages praised the gesture as an example of “jabr al-khawater” (mending spirits) and highlighted how such acts of kindness define humanity.