Based on an analysis of 442 Facebook posts trending on February 19, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives dominating online conversations in Iraq. Political developments saw significant engagement, particularly a call from Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr for his followers to update their voter registration, sparking discussions about his movement’s future political participation. Government activities under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani were also a major topic, with pro-government pages highlighting the launch of subsidized hypermarkets, while critics focused on a controversial political appointment. Sports, especially European football, captured a large audience, with extensive celebratory coverage of Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City. Other prominent topics included security news, such as a friendly fire incident in Kuwait, and routine but important civic announcements regarding public sector salary disbursements and the anticipated start of Ramadan.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Muqtada al-Sadr Urges Followers to Update Voter Records

The most engaging political story centered on Sadrist movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who called on his supporters to update their voter registration information. Reporting on a post from his “X” account, pages like Al-Khowa al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 81%) and The private office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 52%) widely circulated his message. The posts emphasized al-Sadr’s statement that updating voter records is “an indispensable matter” and would be “beneficial for you whether you enter the elections or boycott them.” The call has fueled speculation about the Sadrist movement’s potential return to the political process after its previous withdrawal. Other pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%) and Saraya al-Salam – Central Media Directorate (Post Impact: 4%) also shared the directive.

2. Real Madrid Defeats Manchester City in Champions League

Iraqi football fans heavily engaged with content celebrating Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. Pages reported that Real Madrid won the match with a score of 3-1, advancing to the round of 16, thanks to a hat-trick by Kylian Mbappé. Al-Khowa al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 64%) and Bab al-Toub (Post Impact: 6%) announced the result, highlighting Mbappé’s performance. The tone of the coverage was overwhelmingly celebratory, with Set Ashwaq um al-Qanouniya (Post Impact: 44%) declaring, “Everyone must admit the Champions League is Real’s favorite tournament.. You made us stay up for nothing.” The page Mohammad Naser Khalif Mohammad Naser Khalif (Post Impact: 46%) shared a video with simple text expressing support for Real Madrid and opposition to Barcelona.

3. PM Al-Sudani Launches Subsidized Hypermarkets in Baghdad

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s inauguration of new subsidized shopping centers generated significant discussion. According to his official page, The Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 23%), and The Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 16%), Al-Sudani opened the “Taawun Hyper Market” in Al-Bayaa and five other centers in Baghdad, with plans for 23 more nationwide. The initiative aims to provide food and goods at supported prices to ensure food security and control market prices. Pro-government pages like Al-Qasr al-Hukumi (Post Impact: 5%) promoted the markets as having “everything available and everything cheap,” while Bakhidmitak (Post Impact: 6%) praised the development, claiming these markets are not in London or Paris but in Iraq.

4. Kuwaiti Army Reports Deadly Friendly Fire Incident

A security incident from neighboring Kuwait was the highest-impact single post of the day. The page Al-Khowa al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 100%) reported that the Kuwaiti Army announced the death of two of its members and the injury of two others. According to the post, the casualties were the result of a friendly fire incident that occurred during a night training exercise. The page relayed the information factually as an official announcement from the Kuwaiti military.

5. PM Al-Sudani Criticized for Appointing Former Ba’athist Advisor

MP Mustafa Sanad sparked controversy with a post criticizing Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s decision to appoint Abdul-Ilah al-Tikriti as his advisor for agricultural affairs. In a post on his page Mustafa Sanad – Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 62%), the MP claimed that al-Tikriti was a former Minister of Agriculture and a Ba’ath party “division member” who was captured by American forces alongside Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf in 2003. Sanad argued that al-Tikriti is covered by de-Ba’athification laws and cannot hold the position without a special exception from the Council of Ministers and a vote in parliament. He questioned the Prime Minister’s motives, asking, “Didn’t you put your hand on the Quran to implement the constitution!!! Or is it returning the favor?”

6. Funding for Public Sector Salaries Announced

Pages catering to public sector employees shared the news that funding for salaries had been released. Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 29%) and Ayun al-Iraq (Post Impact: 10%) both posted brief, urgent announcements stating that salaries for all employees, affiliates, and contract workers were now funded. These types of posts consistently generate engagement as they are a primary concern for a large portion of the Iraqi workforce and their families.

7. Imam Sistani’s Office Announces Expected Start of Ramadan

News outlets announced the expected start date for the holy month of Ramadan, citing the office of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Markaz al-Iraqi al-Khabari (Post Impact: 17%) and Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 10%) reported that Imam Sistani’s office has released its Imsakiyah (timetable) for Ramadan and predicts that the holy month will begin on Sunday, March 2. The reports also noted that Ramadan is expected to last for 29 days, concluding on March 30.

8. Commentator Contrasts Saudi Diplomacy with Iraqi Politics

Commentator Rusly Al-Maliki published a widely shared critique of the Iraqi political elite, contrasting their rhetoric with what he described as effective Saudi diplomacy. In posts on his pages Rusly Al-Maliki – رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 18%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 8%), he praised Saudi Arabia for “working quietly with confidence and smart diplomacy” by bringing global powers to its land to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. He contrasted this with Iraqi politicians like Nouri al-Maliki, Qasim al-Araji, and Qais al-Khazali, who he claims are preoccupied with talking about the Ba’ath party, repeating sectarian slogans, and making anti-American boasts. He concluded sarcastically that this is how governance works in Iraq.

9. MP Alleges Corruption in Diwaniyah Sewage Project

MP Muhammad Nuri Aziz used his Facebook page to accuse the Noor Al-Ofuq company of corruption related to the major sewage project in Diwaniyah. In two separate posts, Al-Na’ib Muhammad Nuri Aziz (Post Impact: 19%) and Al-Na’ib Muhammad Nuri Aziz (Post Impact: 11%), the parliamentarian claimed that over 20 billion Iraqi dinars designated for project “depreciation” were found to be fictitious. He labeled the situation as a “#new_corruption_file_and_another_theft” and stated that the allocated funds were “imaginary and non-existent!”

10. Zain Iraq Promotes New “Kafuu” Mobile Plan

A coordinated advertising campaign for the new “Kafuu” mobile plan from Zain Iraq was visible across several Facebook pages. Pages such as Men Iraq (Post Impact: 6%), Ayun Baghdadiah (Post Impact: 5%), and Bab al-Toub (Post Impact: 5%) all posted similar promotional content. The posts highlighted the plan’s benefits, including fast 4.5G+ internet, customizable bundles for calls and data, and bonus credit upon topping up. The campaign urged potential customers to purchase the new line or switch their existing Zain number to the “Kafuu” plan.