Based on an analysis of 551 trending X / Twitter posts on March 29, 2025, Miqrab AI found that the dominant narrative in Iraq revolves around the controversial announcement of the date for Eid al-Fitr. A deep sectarian and political rift emerged as numerous accounts accused the Sunni Endowment Diwan of succumbing to political pressure from the Iraqi government and Iranian influence by declaring Eid on Monday, in line with Shia authorities, rather than on Sunday with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-majority nations. This led to widespread calls for Iraqi Sunnis to defy the official announcement. Other significant themes include rising regional tensions fueled by a perceived American military buildup targeting Iran, sharp criticism of religious and political figures for alleged hypocrisy and collaboration, and a burgeoning online campaign to boycott Jordanian products following perceived insults against Iraqis.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. Controversy Erupts Over Eid al-Fitr Date in Iraq

A major controversy dominated Iraqi social media after the Sunni Endowment Diwan announced Monday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr, aligning with the date set by Shia religious authorities, including Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Numerous commentators accused the head of the Diwan, Mashaan al-Khazraji, of political capitulation. Mashaan al-Jubouri (Post Impact: 99%) called the move a “blatant betrayal of the trust granted to him” and an act of submission to “the deep state that takes its orders from Iran.” He and others, like Najeh Abbas al-Mizan (Post Impact: 34%), urged Sunnis to disregard the announcement and celebrate Eid on Sunday in defiance. Accounts like Omar al-Janabi (Post Impact: 24%) framed it as the government imposing a specific religious interpretation. Conversely, Haidar (Post Impact: 30%) reported the announcement as a moment of unity, stating “Iraq, with its Sunnis and Shiites, will have its Eid on Monday.” However, the Muslim Scholars Association in Iraq (Post Impact: 24%) issued a conflicting fatwa, declaring Sunday as Eid based on their own moon sighting.

2. Fears of US-Iran Confrontation Grow Online

Discussions about escalating regional tensions were prominent, focusing on a potential military confrontation between the United States and Iran. David Yassin (Post Impact: 24%) claimed that a stark warning was delivered to Iran via the UAE, suggesting that the US and Israel have deployed a “strike force” and that Iran faces a final choice: “compliance or confrontation.” Similarly, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 10%) detailed a massive US military presence in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, including aircraft carriers and strategic bombers, aimed at forcing Iran to dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Sufian al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 18%) shared a video of an IRGC commander boasting about long-range missiles, interpreting it as a sign that the Iranian regime expects imminent conflict.

3. Public Figures Criticized for Perceived Hypocrisy

Several high-engagement posts leveled sharp criticism against public figures for perceived moral and political failings. Faiq al-Sheikh Ali/My word for history (Post Impact: 46%) posted a pointed question, asking how one can glorify a person considered to be destined for heaven while that same person exports drugs that destroy society. He asked, “How can you be infatuated with him… while he has committed the most heinous crime against you, your people, and your country?” Elsewhere, religious cleric Ali al-Talqani was targeted by multiple accounts. Samer al-Saadi, the journalist (Post Impact: 23%) accused him of hypocrisy, running a religious platform in Iraq while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Europe. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 14%) accused al-Talqani of attempting to “ride the wave” of the Tishreen protests and questioned the timing of him receiving a diplomatic passport from the government during that period.

4. Online Campaign Calls for Boycott of Jordanian Products

A coordinated online campaign emerged calling for a boycott of Jordanian products, often using the hashtag #مقاطعة_المنتوجات_الأردنية (Boycott_Jordanian_Products). The calls appeared to be a reaction to perceived insults against Iraqis. Ahmad Akhu Mzaal Basra-Iraq (Post Impact: 19%) posted a graphic with the slogan “For the sake of Iraq… boycott Jordanian products.” Huruf Sumaria (Post Impact: 14%) and Abu Drandesh al-Askari (Post Impact: 12%) shared similar images urging Iraqis to stop buying goods from Jordan as a matter of national dignity. The campaign links these calls to recent events at a football match, where anti-Iraqi chants were allegedly heard.

5. Sectarian Rhetoric in Syrian Conflict Debated

The Syrian conflict was a topic of heated, sectarian-tinged debate, primarily driven by posts from a single influential account. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 38%) launched a lengthy attack on a “Baathist” blogger, accusing him of sectarian incitement and encouraging the “extermination of Alawites” in Syria under the guise of fighting regime remnants. In another post, Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 32%) criticized a new mufti in Syria for allegedly declaring Shiites to be “majus” (Zoroastrians/infidels). Hussein countered this with a historical argument, stating that Iran was once a Sunni country and that Sunni states were responsible for the fall of Baghdad to the Mongols, not Shiites.

6. Bangkok Infrastructure Video Highlights Corruption Concerns

The most impactful single post of the day featured a video of a skyscraper in Bangkok swaying during a powerful earthquake, demonstrating its structural integrity. Sufian al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 100%) used the clip to draw a sharp contrast with building standards in the Middle East. He lamented how buildings as low as five stories collapsed in a recent earthquake in the region, attributing the failure to widespread fraud and corruption in the construction sector. The post implicitly criticizes governments and contractors in countries like Iraq for failing to invest in safe and durable infrastructure for their citizens.

7. NSA’s “Unusual” Visit to Jewish Tomb Gains Attention

A post that garnered significant attention reported on an “unusual visit” by Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qassim al-Araji, to the tomb of Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in Baghdad. Haidar (Post Impact: 25%) shared a photo of al-Araji at the site. The post did not provide further context for the visit, but its characterization as “unusual” suggests it was seen as a noteworthy event, potentially signaling a message of religious tolerance or a shift in official attitudes towards Iraq’s historical Jewish community.

8. Iraq Pledges Six-Month Fuel Supply to Lebanon

News circulated that the Iraqi Council of Ministers has directed the Ministry of Oil to supply Lebanon with fuel for a period of six months. According to a post by Haidar (Post Impact: 12%), the fuel is intended to help operate Lebanon’s struggling electrical power stations. This decision reflects an ongoing policy of Iraqi support for Lebanon, though such actions often generate debate within Iraq about prioritizing domestic needs versus regional aid.

9. Political Figures Share Eid al-Fitr Greetings

Amidst the controversy, several prominent Iraqi and Kurdish political figures shared traditional Eid al-Fitr greetings. Raghad Saddam Hussein (Post Impact: 48%) wished for peace and stability in Iraq and the Arab region. In the Kurdistan Region, both Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (Post Impact: 15%) and President Nechirvan Barzani (Post Impact: 13%) extended wishes for a blessed and happy holiday to people in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world, emphasizing themes of reconciliation and unity.

10. Video of Iranian Official with Citizen Circulates

A video reportedly from Iran was shared, showing the country’s head of the judiciary pushing aside his own bodyguard’s hand. According to the post by Wasan al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 37%), the official did this so that a woman who had approached him could speak to him directly and freely. The clip was presented as a notable interaction between a high-ranking official and an ordinary citizen, potentially to portray an image of accessibility and responsiveness within the Iranian establishment.