Based on an analysis of 379 Facebook posts trending on January 25, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating Iraqi social media. The most prominent theme was the public outreach and activities of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, particularly his widely praised phone call to an Iraqi doctor volunteering in Gaza and his direct supervision of the major religious pilgrimage in Baghdad. This pilgrimage, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, was another central topic, with extensive coverage of the massive crowds, security measures, and political expressions of condolence. Other significant discussions included debates over new legislation, such as a proposal to penalize election boycotters and the implementation of a general amnesty law, alongside popular sports news concerning European football leagues.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. PM Sudani Honors Iraqi Doctor in Gaza

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani’s phone call to Dr. Mohammed Tahir Kamel Abu Ragheef, an Iraqi doctor who volunteered in Gaza’s hospitals, was a major topic of discussion. Pages like The Engineer Mohammed Shia Al Sudani (Post Impact: 14%) and Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 14%) shared details and videos of the call. According to the Prime Minister’s office, he described the doctor as a “ambassador of humanity” and stated his work represents an honorable position that Iraqis are proud of. Several other pages, including Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi – The Government Palace (Post Impact: 14%) and Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 8%), praised the gesture, highlighting that Dr. Abu Ragheef is a symbol of Iraqi gallantry. The Prime Minister invited the doctor to Baghdad to celebrate his efforts and reiterated Iraq’s call to establish a fund for the reconstruction of Gaza.

2. Millions Commemorate Imam al-Kadhim’s Martyrdom

The annual pilgrimage marking the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim saw extensive coverage, focusing on the massive crowds flocking to the Kadhimiya shrine in Baghdad. The official page of The Engineer Mohammed Shia Al Sudani (Post Impact: 10%) reported on his field visit to the city to inspect the security and service plans, where he met with officials and pilgrims. Numerous politicians, such as Baqir Jabr Al-Zubaidi (Post Impact: 11%) and Dr. Haider Al-Salami (Post Impact: 7%), posted messages of condolence. Security forces, including the Abbas Combat Division/Brigade 26 (Post Impact: 4%), shared their participation in securing the event. A video shared by Yalla (Post Impact: 6%) showing a Christian woman paying respects at a symbolic coffin for the Imam was highlighted as a moment of coexistence.

3. Proposal to Penalize Election Boycotters Sparks Debate

A statement by Member of Parliament Amer Abdul Jabbar regarding a proposed law on electoral incentives generated significant discussion. The page Al-Khawa Al-Nathifa – The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 27%) reported that the MP suggested they “may impose penalties on ‘election boycotters'” as part of the bill. This news was also covered by Fad Diqiqa – One Minute (Post Impact: 2%), indicating that the parliament might penalize those who boycott Iraqi elections. The posts highlight a potential legislative move to increase voter turnout by introducing disincentives for non-participation.

4. Kylian Mbappé’s Hat-Trick Propels Real Madrid in La Liga

Sports news, particularly from the Spanish football league, was a popular topic. A hat-trick by Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid was celebrated across multiple pages. Al-Khawa Al-Nathifa – The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 23%) announced that Mbappé’s performance led Real Madrid to strengthen its lead in La Liga. Similarly, Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 3%) highlighted it as Mbappé’s first hat-trick with the club. Commentator Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 9%) suggested that with such a formidable striker, the league title could already be decided.

5. Progress and Controversy Around General Amnesty Law

The General Amnesty Law was another point of discussion, with posts highlighting both official actions and criticism. The page Iraqeen W Bas – Iraqis Only (Post Impact: 4%) reported that the Minister of Defense has formed committees of lawyers to follow up on the files of those included in the law and expedite their release. In contrast, Ahlam Allami (Post Impact: 2%), President of the Iraqi Bar Association, criticized initiatives by some MPs to provide legal services related to the law, calling it a populist move that undermines institutional work and warning against preparing “the cradle… before the boy is born.”

6. Parliament Mourns Death of MP Mustafa Al-Arsan

The death of a sitting member of the Iraqi Parliament, Mustafa Al-Arsan, was reported by news pages. Khabar Ajeal – Breaking News (Post Impact: 3%) announced that the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, directed a three-day mourning period within the parliament building and the holding of a memorial service. The news of the parliamentarian’s death was also briefly announced by Fad Diqiqa – One Minute (Post Impact: 2%).

7. Actor Aziz Nasser Expresses Support for Poet Haider al-Saad

The single most impactful post of the day came from actor Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 100%), who shared a video reel with a caption expressing strong support for poet Haider al-Saad. Nasser wrote, “When the doors are closed and we find no way through,” followed by a parenthetical statement vouching for al-Saad’s character: “(Haider Al-Saad is purity and honesty and I know him well).” The high engagement on this post indicates significant public interest in the two cultural figures, suggesting an underlying context or controversy that resonates deeply with their audience, even though the post itself does not provide further details.

8. Concerns Over Local Governance and Service Delivery

Issues related to local governance and the failure to deliver services were highlighted in posts concerning two different provinces. Diyala TV (Post Impact: 12%) reported that the Diyala ration card office has made its update process permanent and is requiring all citizens to complete it within a month, while asking about problems people have faced. Meanwhile, Mohamed Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 2%) pointed out that Dhi Qar province has not yet prepared its 2024 plan, even after the year has ended, and that all projects initiated in 2024 were actually from the 2023 plan. Together, these posts reflect public frustration with bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies at the provincial level.

9. Political Leaders Focus on the Tarmiyah District

The Tarmiyah district, located in the northern Baghdad belt, was the subject of attention from two prominent political figures. The official page of the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani (Post Impact: 4%), reported that he began a series of visits to Iraqi tribes, starting with the Albu Gtaya tribe in Tarmiyah, to discuss security and services. In a separate, highly engaged post, MP Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 18%) discussed a legal complaint filed against him, stating that his motivation for speaking out was that he was “pained by the moans of the victims and martyrs in Tarmiyah.” These posts indicate a continued political and security focus on the district.

10. Discussions on the Sadrist Movement’s Political Role

The Sadrist Movement and its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, remained a topic of conversation. The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 13%) shared an update on Sadr’s personal follow-up of the “Qada’ al-Salat” project, a religious initiative to encourage making up missed prayers. In a different context, the news page Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 2%) quoted politician Burhan al-Ma’mouri, who stated that “the political process without the Sadrist movement has no color, taste, or smell!” This combination of posts shows the movement’s continued activity on a grassroots religious level and its perceived importance in the national political landscape.