Based on an analysis of 425 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on May 16, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives dominating the social media landscape. The most prominent topic was the 34th Arab League Summit being hosted in Baghdad, with extensive coverage of dignitary arrivals and preparations, positioning Iraq as a significant regional player. This coincided with a surge of national pride, showcased through posts highlighting major urban development projects in the capital, such as the Airport Road and the Zaha Hadid-designed Central Bank tower. Discussions on regional politics were also prevalent, particularly concerning former US President Donald Trump’s recent comments about Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Positive narratives about Iraq’s culture and beauty, amplified by a visiting Qatari journalist, also gained significant traction, alongside domestic news concerning politics, public safety, and weather forecasts.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Baghdad’s Urban Development and Beautification Projects

A major trend on Iraqi Facebook was the celebration of ongoing development and beautification projects in Baghdad. The most engaged post, shared by politician Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 100%), featured a video showcasing the newly developed Airport Road. This theme was echoed by other pages, such as Baghdad (Post Impact: 18%) and Baghdad Projects (Post Impact: 3%), which shared striking aerial footage of the Zaha Hadid-designed Central Bank building illuminated at night. These posts collectively paint a picture of a revitalized capital, generating national pride and positive sentiment among users who shared and commented on the modern aesthetics of the new landmarks.

2. Baghdad Hosts the 34th Arab League Summit

The upcoming 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad was a dominant topic, with numerous pages covering the arrival of delegations and the city’s preparations. The official page of Prime Minister Mohammed Shaya Al Sudani (Post Impact: 11%) shared photos of him welcoming the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. News page Khabar Ajel (Breaking News) (Post Impact: 8%) provided a list of arriving dignitaries, while Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 9%) posted videos of the official receptions. Pages like Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 5%) highlighted political commentary, quoting Ammar al-Hakim who stated that “Iraq returns to the Arab fold through the Baghdad summit.” The collective coverage portrayed the event as a significant diplomatic achievement for Iraq.

3. Trump’s Remarks on Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa Spark Debate

Comments made by former US President Donald Trump regarding Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa generated considerable discussion. The page Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 12%) translated an interview from Fox News where Trump recounted that the Saudi Crown Prince had urged him to lift sanctions on Syria and described al-Sharaa as “strong” and a good fit for a “tough region.” This story was accompanied by related fact-checking from Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 6%), which debunked a fabricated image showing al-Sharaa bowing to Trump. Commentator Salem Mashkour (Post Impact: 4%) questioned the diplomatic priorities, asking why Gulf leaders who could persuade Trump to meet al-Sharaa didn’t also ask for his intervention in Gaza.

4. Qatari Journalist Khalid Jassem’s Praise for Baghdad Goes Viral

A positive narrative about Iraq gained significant traction through posts featuring Qatari journalist Khalid Jassem during his visit to Baghdad. The Baghdad page (Post Impact: 17%) shared a video of his tour of Al-Mutanabbi Street, highlighting his interactions with local artisans. His encouraging words were widely quoted by pages like Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 15%) and Min Baghdad (From Baghdad) (Post Impact: 13%), which both featured his statement: “Don’t mind the talk… your country is beautiful and amazing❤️.” These posts were shared as a testament to Iraq’s enduring culture and hospitality, resonating strongly with audiences who expressed pride and appreciation for the positive portrayal.

5. PM Al-Sudani Holds Bilateral Meetings Ahead of Summit

Ahead of the Arab League Summit, Prime Minister Mohammed Shaya Al Sudani’s diplomatic engagements were highlighted on his official Facebook page. One post from the Engineer Mohammed Shaya Al Sudani page (Post Impact: 11%) detailed his reception of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, where they discussed the summit’s agenda and bilateral economic cooperation. In another post, the Engineer Mohammed Shaya Al Sudani page (Post Impact: 3%) covered his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, emphasizing their shared position on key regional challenges, particularly the importance of stopping the aggression in Gaza. These posts underscored the Prime Minister’s active diplomatic role as the host of the summit.

6. Discussions on Upcoming Summer Weather and Heatwaves

As summer approaches, discussions about the weather forecast became a trending topic. The page Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 12%) shared what it called “news that will delight Iraqis,” reporting that weather maps for June predict a moderate month without severe heatwaves. In contrast, Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 5%) offered a more detailed explanation of the heat cycle, noting that the current period is just the “prelude to the summer heat” and that the most intense period, known as “jamerat al-qaydh” (the ember of the heat), will begin in July. Together, these posts reflect public anticipation and concern regarding the extreme summer temperatures.

7. Multiple Fatal Traffic Accidents Reported Across Iraq

A somber trend involved reports of deadly traffic accidents in various parts of the country, highlighting public safety concerns. The Bab Al-Toob page (Post Impact: 4%) reported a tragic accident between Ishaqi and Samarra that resulted in the deaths of eight people, including four children. Similarly, the Mosul – MOSUL page (Post Impact: 5%) posted a video of a “very violent traffic accident” in front of the Great Mosque of Mosul. The same page also reported another “terrifying traffic accident” (Post Impact: 2%) on the Mosul-Baghdad road. The frequency of these posts indicates a high level of public awareness and concern over the dangers on Iraq’s roads.

8. Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives for Arab Summit

The arrival of the Syrian delegation for the Arab Summit was specifically noted by multiple pages. Iraqeen W Bas (Iraqis Only) (Post Impact: 7%) and the Baghdad page (Post Impact: 2%) both posted updates announcing that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani had arrived in the capital to participate in the summit. The coverage of Syria’s participation is noteworthy given the country’s complex relationship with the Arab League in recent years, making its presence in Baghdad a point of interest for social media users.

9. Politician Hakem al-Zamili Engages with Community at Mosque

Politician Hakem al-Zamili shared his community engagement activities on his official page. In one post, Hakem al-Zamili (Post Impact: 6%) informed his followers that he performed Friday prayers at the Al-Shuroufi Mosque in Baghdad’s Sha’ab district, describing it as a prominent platform for religious and social awareness. In a follow-up post from the same location, he (Post Impact: 4%) promoted a charity initiative called the “Bunyan Marsous” project, urging people to donate to help the poor and needy, stating that “your donation makes a difference.”

10. First Death Anniversary of Sheikh Muthanna Al Hatem Al Hassan

The first anniversary of the passing of Sheikh Muthanna Al Hatem Al Hassan, a paramount sheikh of the Bani Hassan tribe, was commemorated on Facebook. The page Hassan Zuher Hakim (Post Impact: 6%) shared a video tribute marking the occasion. The same page posted another memorial video (Post Impact: 4%) in his honor. These posts served as a remembrance of the late tribal leader, reflecting the continued importance of tribal figures and traditions in parts of Iraqi society.