Based on an analysis of 374 Facebook posts trending on March 31, 2025, Miqrab AI found that the primary narratives in Iraq revolved around the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This included widespread sharing of personal greetings, videos of family gatherings, and depictions of religious observances. Politically, the most significant story was Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s visit to his hometown in Maysan, where he appeared in traditional Arab attire and engaged with citizens, an act widely framed as a populist gesture. This contrasted sharply with news of escalating infighting among Sunni politicians, notably a dispute between Mohammed al-Halbousi and Haidar al-Mulla that moved from a WhatsApp group to a physical attack. A related controversy also trended regarding the Sunni Waqf’s decision on the date of Eid, with some alleging political interference.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Eid al-Fitr Greetings and Celebrations Dominate Feeds

Iraqi Facebook pages were dominated by posts celebrating Eid al-Fitr, with content ranging from personal greetings to videos of prayers and family gatherings. The page Oyoun Al Iraq (Post Impact: 100%) shared a popular and lighthearted video showing a child with his uncles. Artist Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 77%) wished his followers well with a simple message, “May God bless all your days,” accompanied by a personal photo. Many pages, such as Al-Yarmouk Al-Arba’a Shawari’ (Post Impact: 32%) and public figure Ali Athab – Ali Athab (Post Impact: 20%), shared videos extending holiday wishes to their followers, highlighting the festive and communal spirit of the occasion across the platform.

2. PM Al Sudani’s Eid Visit to Maysan in Traditional Attire

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s appearance in traditional southern Arab attire during an Eid visit to his hometown in Maysan province was a major topic of discussion. Pages like Min Al Iraq (Post Impact: 30%) and Oyoun Baghdadieh (Post Impact: 23%) highlighted that this was his first time appearing in such dress publicly. Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 17%) praised the move, stating he returned to his old home to receive well-wishers before meeting with politicians. The Prime Minister’s official page, Al-Mohandes Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 15%), confirmed he performed Eid prayers with citizens in Amara and listened to their concerns. This visit was framed across multiple pages, including Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi (Post Impact: 15%), as an act of connecting with his roots and the general public.

3. Halbousi and Mulla Feud Escalates from WhatsApp to Violence

A political dispute between former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi and politician Haidar al-Mulla escalated from a heated argument in a WhatsApp group to a physical attack. Pages like Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 10%) and Khan Jgaan (Post Impact: 8%) shared screenshots of the conversation where al-Halbousi allegedly threatened al-Mulla, saying, “Be polite or I will ruin you, today I will make an example of you.” Subsequently, multiple outlets, including Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 5%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%), reported that armed groups attacked and vandalized al-Mulla’s office in Baghdad. Baghdad Operations Command later issued a statement on the incident, which was shared by Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 8%).

4. Controversy Surrounds Sunni Waqf’s Eid Date Declaration

The decision by the head of the Sunni Endowment, Mashaan al-Khazraji, regarding the date of Eid al-Fitr sparked significant controversy and accusations of political interference. Ahmed AlHamdani – Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 12%) shared the contents of a letter from parliamentarians to PM Al Sudani, expressing concern that the decision to “unify the Eid” was made with government knowledge and could lead to mosques being closed to Sunni worshippers. The page Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 9%) reported that senior Sunni cleric Ahmed Hassan Al-Taha criticized the head of the Sunni Waqf for allegedly deciding the date for political reasons before the moon sighting. Both pages noted that the Prime Minister’s office issued a statement denying any intervention in the matter.

5. Tributes to Architect Zaha Hadid on Her Death Anniversary

Iraqi social media pages commemorated the ninth anniversary of the death of world-renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Al-Khawa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 25%) remembered her as an architect who “dazzled the world with her innovative designs, which were unconventional and close to fantasy.” The page Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%) also paid tribute, calling her the “queen of architectural curves” and recalling how she made the impossible a reality after being told her designs were too imaginative to be built.

6. Heavy Rain Falls During Eid Prayers in Karbala

A notable event shared by several pages was the rainfall between the two holy shrines in Karbala during the dawn prayers for Eid al-Fitr. The page Set Ashwaq Om Al Qanounia (Post Impact: 69%) posted a widely viewed video of the downpour, celebrating the moment with the message, “Today is our Eid together… Happy New Year.” The story was also covered by the news page Khabar Ajeal (Post Impact: 4%), which shared an image of the event. The posts portrayed the rain as a blessing coinciding with the holy day.

7. Social Media Influencer Receives Lavish Eid Gift

The topic of Eid gifts, or “Eidiya,” gained traction through the story of social media personality Shahed Sultan, who reportedly received a large sum of money. The page Ahdath Erbil (Post Impact: 16%) reported that she “broke the record for Eidiya from her beloved, who gave her 5 notebooks [stacks of cash] as an Eid gift.” A related post from the same page Ahdath Erbil (Post Impact: 19%) shared a video discussing the gift and humorously asked followers what they received in comparison, generating engagement around the extravagant present.

8. Eid Traditions Celebrated in Basra’s Zubair District

The unique Eid traditions of the Zubair district in Basra were highlighted as a cherished local custom. Al-Khawa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 16%) posted photos of “Eid tables spread out in the alleys of ‘Zubair’,” describing it as a tradition aimed at preserving the city’s heritage and folklore on the first day of Eid. The post celebrated the communal practice of sharing food and festivities outdoors, a tradition that distinguishes the area’s celebrations. This was echoed by Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 16%), who shared a video of Eid prayers at the Imam Musa al-Kadhim Mosque in Basra, further showcasing the city’s religious and cultural celebrations.

9. Opening of New Casino in Mosul Sparks Discussion

The grand opening of the “Abu Janna” casino in Mosul generated discussion on social media. The page Bab Al Toub (Post Impact: 7%) and Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 3%) both shared videos from the event, noting a large crowd was in attendance at the new establishment located near the Fifth Bridge. The posts simply announced the opening without further commentary, but the event itself represents a notable development in the city’s social landscape.

10. Pages Mark Akitu, Ancient Mesopotamian New Year

Several pages focused on Iraqi heritage marked the occasion of Akitu, the ancient Mesopotamian New Year. Babel Gateway of the Gods (Post Impact: 5%) explained that Akitu is one of the oldest recorded festivals in history, originating as a harvest celebration and evolving into a national holiday for the new year. The page described the 12-day festival and its influence on neighboring cultures. A separate post by International Day of Babylonian Civilization (Post Impact: 4%) promoted an upcoming event to celebrate Babylonian heritage, linking modern celebrations to ancient traditions like Akitu.