Based on an analysis of 506 Facebook posts trending on August 24, 2025, Miqrab AI found that the primary narratives in Iraq revolve around escalating political tensions ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Key discussions include the controversial exclusion of several candidates, which has prompted threats of boycotts, and forceful statements from established political leaders warning against any postponement of the vote. Alongside these electoral concerns, a significant debate has emerged regarding a proposed law for the Popular Mobilization Forces, with reports of US pressure and defiant responses from Iraqi politicians. High-engagement social issues, such as alarming divorce statistics and the exploitation of children for begging, also captured significant public attention, alongside security updates and community news.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. MP Sajjad Salem Excluded from Upcoming Elections

The decision to exclude Member of Parliament Sajjad Salem from running in the upcoming elections has sparked significant backlash and debate online. In a formal statement, his political bloc, the Alternative Alliance, as shared on Sajjad Salem‘s page (Post Impact: 67%), condemned the move as a “direct targeting of civil and national forces” and announced it is seriously considering withdrawing from the elections entirely. Commentator Ali Wajeeh (Post Impact: 10%) described the exclusion as a “giant strategic mistake” that undermines the voice of the opposition. The news was also reported by pages like Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 8%), which noted the potential for the alliance to boycott the vote.

2. Nouri al-Maliki Warns Against Election Postponement

A firm statement from Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law Coalition, was widely circulated, emphasizing that the parliamentary elections must proceed as planned. Pages including Al-Khuwa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 51%) and Aliraqi Alaseel (Post Impact: 14%) quoted al-Maliki as saying, “The elections will be held on time, and if postponed, the political process will fall.” This declaration signals a strong stance against any potential delays and highlights the critical importance of adhering to the constitutional timeline for major political blocs. The page Aladhamiya News (Post Impact: 7%) also shared the warning, underscoring the potential for political collapse if the elections are deferred.

3. US Pressure Debated Amid Proposed PMF Law

The proposed law concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd) became a major topic of discussion, with several pages reporting on alleged pressure from the United States to halt its legislation. Parliament Speaker Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani (Post Impact: 11%) spoke publicly about messages from the US administration regarding the law. The page Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 5%) elaborated, stating the US warned of political and economic sanctions if laws contradicting its policy were passed. In contrast, Mohammed Jabbar (Post Impact: 6%) shared a video of a heated debate where a guest declared, “Despite America, we will pass the Hashd law.” Adding to the speculation, Hussam Alhaj (Post Impact: 9%) questioned if the Coordination Framework withdrew the law from parliament due to US threats against certain factions.

4. Leaked Audio Sparks Election Corruption Allegations

A high-impact video from Entifadh Qanbar PE (Post Impact: 64%) promised to expose what it described as “dangerous corruption” surrounding the upcoming elections. The post referenced a leaked audio recording, reportedly first published by journalist Nizar Haidar, which allegedly features Farhad Alaaldin, an advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani. The page presented the audio as evidence of massive fraud and corruption within the electoral process, leaving judgment on its contents to the public while vowing to pursue accountability with the repeated statement, “We will chase you.”

5. Man Exposed for Exploiting Children in Begging

Philanthropist Hisham Al-Dhahabi (Post Impact: 71%) shared a widely viewed video of an encounter with a man who was using his children for begging. According to the post, the police had identified the man, and Al-Dhahabi intervened, offering to cover all of his needs to convince him to stop. However, the man fled while being accompanied to his home. Al-Dhahabi explained that such individuals often refuse help because they view begging as a lucrative “profession,” earning a minimum of 100,000 Iraqi dinars per day. The post concluded with a sense of frustration: “We did our humanitarian duty, and he chose to continue begging.”

6. Report of 7,000 Divorces in July Causes Stir

A post from the page Set Ashwaq Om Al-Qanouniya (Post Impact: 80%) went viral after reporting that Iraq had recorded 7,000 divorce cases in the month of July alone. The page commented on this alarming statistic with a sarcastic question aimed at newly married couples: “What were you doing during the engagement period, talking about the Spanish league?” The post generated a massive response, sparking widespread discussion about the social factors contributing to the rising divorce rates and the stability of modern marriages in the country.

7. Real Madrid’s 3-0 Victory Dominates Sports Feeds

Iraqi football fans celebrated Real Madrid’s decisive 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo in a friendly match. Pages such as Al-Khuwa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 32%) and Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 11%) shared the result, noting that star player Kylian Mbappé scored two of the three goals. Adding another layer to the sports news, Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 6%) suggested that the players’ goal celebration photos were intended as “messages to a specific party,” prompting speculation among followers about potential hidden meanings.

8. Mourning the Passing of Cleric Bahr al-Uloum

The death of Sayyid Muhammad Ali Bahr al-Uloum, a respected scholar of the Hawza (Islamic seminary), was met with condolences and tributes across multiple Facebook pages. Al-Khuwa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 22%) posted photos of his funeral procession in Karbala, which was attended by a large gathering of religious figures and community members. Political figures also expressed their sorrow, including former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Both his official media page, The Media Office of Dr. Haider Al-Abadi (Post Impact: 16%), and his personal page, Haider Al-Abadi (Post Impact: 16%), shared a message of condolence praising the late cleric as someone who “carried the message of religion and the homeland.”

9. Iraqi Pages Celebrate 92nd Lawyers’ Day

Facebook pages commemorated Iraqi Lawyers’ Day, celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the profession’s founding. The page Ahlam Allami (Post Impact: 18%), representing the head of the Iraqi Bar Association, shared a video of her speech marking the occasion and honoring the profession’s long history of serving justice and the rule of law. In a more interactive tribute, the page Bab Altoob (Post Impact: 19%) engaged its followers by asking them to name their most respected lawyers, generating a wave of appreciation for legal professionals across the country.

10. Counter-Terrorism Service Arrests Senior ISIS Member

The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) announced the arrest of a high-profile terrorist in Baghdad following an extensive intelligence operation. The official page Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service ICTS (Post Impact: 13%) stated that the captured individual was “one of the most dangerous terrorists,” having served in multiple senior roles within the ISIS organization. The statement detailed his history, including positions as a “military” official in “Wilayat al-Janub” and roles within the “Islamic Police” and “Nihawand Division.” The news was also shared by other security-focused pages like Iraqi Special Operations Forces (Post Impact: 4%).