Based on an analysis of 462 Facebook posts trending on January 21, 2025, Miqrab AI has identified several key narratives shaping online conversation in Iraq. The most dominant theme was the Iraqi Parliament’s controversial passage of a “package deal” of laws, including a general amnesty, which generated significant debate among political figures and the public, with reactions ranging from celebration to condemnation. High engagement was also seen around a dramatic European football match, government announcements regarding development projects and public holidays, and emotional human-interest stories that resonated widely across the platform.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Parliament Passes Controversial “Package Deal” Laws

The Iraqi Parliament’s decision to pass three laws as a single package—the General Amnesty Law, the Personal Status Law, and the Real Estate Restitution Law—was the most discussed topic of the day. Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 54%) shared a video from inside the session showing the vote. Al Khwa Al Nadhifa (Post Impact: 26%) announced the news, which was met with varied reactions. Former Speaker Mohammad Al-Halbousi (Post Impact: 10%) praised the General Amnesty law as justice for the innocent. In contrast, MP Dr. Haider Al-Salami (Post Impact: 7%) criticized the process as “a heresy that serves the agenda of political leaders.” Concerns were also raised by pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%), which reported that the amnesty would include individuals involved in corruption, such as Nour Zuhair.

2. Barcelona’s Dramatic Comeback Win Over Benfica

A thrilling UEFA Champions League match captured the attention of Iraqi football fans, who widely celebrated FC Barcelona’s last-minute victory over Benfica. Pages like Al Khwa Al Nadhifa (Post Impact: 70%) and Yalla (Post Impact: 4%) reported the final 5-4 scoreline. The win was particularly celebrated for its dramatic nature, as Barcelona came from behind to secure the win in the final seconds. Set Ashwaq Am Al Qanounia (Post Impact: 44%) described the event as “junooon ya Barsa” (Madness, O Barca!), while Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 22%) provided a detailed timeline of the goals that illustrated the historic comeback.

3. Cabinet Approves Dhi Qar Medical City and Other Initiatives

The office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani shared details from the latest cabinet session, highlighting several key development projects. A post on the Prime Minister’s page (Post Impact: 18%) announced the approval to establish an integrated medical city in Dhi Qar province, which will be constructed by a Chinese state-owned engineering company. The decision was praised by Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 13%), who credited the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Hamid Al-Gazzi, for his efforts on the project. The cabinet also approved measures related to oil field development in Basra and energy agreements.

4. General Al-Ghanam’s Patriotic Morning Prayer Goes Viral

A simple morning post by Lieutenant General Nasser Al-Ghanam (Post Impact: 100%) became the single most impactful post of the day. The post featured an image of the Iraqi flag accompanied by a short, heartfelt prayer: “My prayer, O God, protect our country from all harm.” The patriotic message resonated strongly with the public, generating widespread positive engagement and sharing across the platform as a symbol of hope and national unity.

5. Video of a Martyr’s Children’s Plight Stirs Emotion Online

An emotional video highlighting the difficult living conditions of a martyr’s children circulated widely, prompting a strong reaction from users. Two pages, Maher Mouhi::Sawt Hamat Al-Watan (Post Impact: 33%) and Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 28%), shared the clip with the caption, “Look where the martyr’s children are sitting,” followed by expressions of sorrow. The posts drew attention to the struggles faced by the families of fallen soldiers and sparked conversations about the need for better support for them.

6. Calls to Impeach Speaker Mashhadani After Contentious Session

The controversial parliamentary session led to direct political fallout aimed at the Speaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani. The page Al Khwa Al Nadhifa (Post Impact: 22%) reported that parliamentary members are collecting signatures to impeach the speaker over what was described as a “controversial session.” This sentiment was echoed by commentator Salim Mashkour (Post Impact: 6%), who accused the speaker of breaking a promise by passing the laws as a package deal.

7. Videos of Prisoners Celebrating New Amnesty Law Circulate

Following the Parliament’s approval of the General Amnesty Law, videos showing inmates celebrating inside Iraqi prisons began to circulate online. Pages such as Shabakat Baghdad (Post Impact: 7%) and Al Hadath Iraq (Post Impact: 6%) shared clips of men dancing and cheering upon hearing the news of the law’s passage. These videos offered a direct glimpse into the immediate impact of the legislation on the prison population and were widely shared as part of the broader conversation about the new law.

8. Baghdad Holiday Declared for Imam al-Kadhim Commemoration

The Iraqi Council of Ministers officially announced a public holiday in Baghdad for Sunday, January 26, 2025. According to posts from the Prime Minister’s page, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 8%), and the Government of Iraq (Post Impact: 4%) page, the holiday is to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kadhim. The news was also shared by other outlets like Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 3%), informing residents of the upcoming closure of public institutions for the religious occasion.

9. Defense Minister Pledges Land and Rights for Soldiers

Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Thabet al-Abbasi, made public commitments to support military personnel. The page Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 5%) quoted the minister’s promise to distribute plots of land to all service members by 2025, particularly those who have served since 2004. Furthermore, Maher Mouhi::Sawt Hamat Al-Watan (Post Impact: 3%) shared videos of the minister affirming his commitment to restoring the rights of all ministry employees and giving them the freedom to choose their own construction companies for their land plots.

10. Weather Agencies Warn of Frost and Freezing Temperatures

Public service announcements regarding a cold snap were shared by several weather-focused pages. Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 11%) reported that satellite data showed frost forming across most northern and western regions, with temperatures expected to drop to zero or below. The page Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 4%) also relayed a warning from meteorological authorities about impending waves of ground frost due to the significant drop in temperature.