Based on an analysis of (466) Facebook posts trending on May 11, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives circulating in Iraq. The most dominant theme was the social fallout from the El Clásico football match, which triggered not only widespread online celebration and humor but also real-world violence, leading to arrests and even a reported death. Another major focus was the preparation for the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad, highlighted by Prime Minister Al Sudani’s inspection of a new luxury hotel and the announcement of official holidays. Political discourse also featured prominently, with significant engagement around a planned protest against the potential attendance of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara (al-Jolani). Other trending topics included a municipal initiative in Erbil to control the stray dog population and government decisions aimed at improving electricity supply during the summer.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. El Clásico Aftermath: Violence, Arrests, and Celebrations

Barcelona’s victory over Real Madrid sparked intense and varied reactions across Iraqi social media. While pages like Albasheer Show (Post Impact: 100%) and Set Ashwaq um al-Qanounia (Post Impact: 49%) shared humorous and celebratory content, the match also led to serious violence. The page Baghdad (Post Impact: 89%) reported on a brawl and shooting between rival fans in the Al-Bunouk area of the capital. Following this incident, Al-Khwa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 23%) and Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 22%) confirmed that three individuals had been arrested in connection with the clash.

2. PM Sudani Inspects “Heart of the World” Hotel for Arab Summit

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s visit to the new “Heart of the World” hotel in Baghdad received significant coverage as Iraq prepares to host the Arab Summit. The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 46%) shared details of his tour of the venue, highlighting its readiness to host participating delegations. Other pages, including Baghdad Projects (Post Impact: 24%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 27%), celebrated the hotel’s imminent opening as a key development for the capital’s tourism sector and a symbol of its renewal, with some calling for more large-scale cultural projects.

3. Protests Planned Over Potential Al-Jolani Visit to Baghdad

MP Mustafa Sanad’s call for protests against a reported invitation for Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad generated considerable debate. In a widely shared post, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 66%) urged citizens to gather in Basra, stating a second demonstration would occur in Baghdad if his attendance was confirmed and describing al-Jolani as having a “black history.” Subsequently, pages like Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 12%) and Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 11%) reported that al-Jolani had ultimately apologized for not being able to attend, with some commentators claiming victory for those who opposed the visit.

4. Erbil Offers Financial Reward for Capturing Stray Dogs

A campaign in Erbil to manage the city’s stray dog population gained significant attention online. According to a high-impact post from Al-Khwa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 80%), municipal authorities have launched a program that includes a financial incentive for citizens. The initiative offers a reward of 3,000 Iraqi dinars for each stray dog that is captured and delivered to a designated shelter, framing the measure as a direct effort to address the issue of stray animals in the city.

5. Fan Reportedly Dies of Heart Attack During El Clásico Match

Several pages reported the tragic death of a young football fan, allegedly due to the emotional stress of the El Clásico match. Erbil Events (Post Impact: 40%) reported that a young man identified as Hammoudi Bazo died after his blood pressure spiked when Real Madrid scored two early goals against Barcelona, causing him to collapse. The story was also covered by Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 16%) and Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 6%), who noted the shock this caused among the deceased’s family and friends, highlighting the intense passion surrounding football rivalries in the region.

6. Gov’t Announces Free Fuel for Generators, Summit Holidays

Decisions from the Iraqi Council of Ministers regarding electricity supply and public holidays were widely shared. The official page for Prime Minister Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 18%) announced that kerosene would be supplied for free to private generators during the summer months to ensure citizens receive at least 20 hours of electricity per day. In preparation for the Arab Summit, the Government of Iraq (Post Impact: 9%) page announced official holidays in Baghdad on May 15 and 18. The free fuel decision was also specifically highlighted by outlets such as Diyala TV (Post Impact: 11%).

7. Donald Trump’s Activities and Statements Circulate Online

Several unrelated posts focusing on former U.S. President Donald Trump gained traction. From Baghdad (Post Impact: 12%) reported a claim that Qatar gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft valued at $400 million for his potential second term. Separately, Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 9%) noted that Trump planned to sign an order to reduce medical drug prices in the U.S. Other pages, like Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%), shared Trump’s cryptic tease of announcing “the most important news ever.”

8. Posts Praising Iraqi Security Forces Gain Traction

Content supporting Iraq’s security forces trended as a theme aimed at fostering national pride. The page Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 45%) shared a simple “Good Morning” message with a photo of a soldier, which garnered high engagement. Similarly, Tele Iraq (Post Impact: 27%) and Tele Iraq Media (Post Impact: 26%) posted about protecting Iraq from regional influences and asked followers to comment on the bravery of the nation’s security forces.

9. Baghdad International Airport’s New Look Showcased Online

Videos and posts showcasing the newly renovated Baghdad International Airport were shared across multiple pages, presenting a positive image of the country’s infrastructure development. Both Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 16%) and Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi (Post Impact: 7%) posted videos with captions like “Baghdad Airport in its new look,” highlighting improvements to the facility’s interior and exterior. The content frames the renovations as a welcome sign of progress and modernization in the capital.

10. Videos Highlighting the Beauty of Baghdad Trend Online

Several pages shared cinematic videos intended to showcase the beauty and vitality of Baghdad ahead of the Arab Summit. Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi (Post Impact: 33%) posted a video with the caption, “The beauty of Baghdad is indescribable in this video, our capital is great.” Another page, Bekhedmetak (Post Impact: 6%), shared a reel with a similar patriotic sentiment, describing Baghdad as the “pearl of the East and the lady of capitals.” These posts worked to promote a positive and welcoming image of the city.