Based on an analysis of 418 Facebook posts trending on November 21, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online discussions in Iraq. The most prominent conversations centered on sharp political commentary from Member of Parliament Mustafa Sanad regarding corruption cases and future economic challenges facing the government. Significant engagement was also seen around post-election political maneuvering, with leaders like Haider al-Abadi and Mohammed al-Halbousi holding high-level meetings to discuss the formation of a new government. Other major themes included widespread celebration of the national football team’s recent victory and its path to the World Cup, a continued state crackdown on what authorities deem “low-quality” or indecent online content, and public discontent over government fees and financial policies.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. MP Mustafa Sanad’s Political Commentary Gains Traction

Member of Parliament Mustafa Sanad was a central figure in top-trending posts, with pages highlighting his political statements on corruption and the economy. The page Wikileaks Iraq (Post Impact: 100%) shared a video clip noting that Sanad has not mentioned the name of businessman Nour Zuhair since a particular interview, implying a change in his focus or a silencing on the issue. Meanwhile, Sanad’s own page, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 81%), posted a reel warning of “financial bombs facing the next government,” signaling significant economic challenges ahead. The posts collectively paint a picture of an MP actively criticizing and warning about systemic corruption and looming fiscal crises.

2. Football Fever: Celebrations and World Cup Playoff Draw

The Iraqi national football team’s performance sparked widespread celebration and anticipation across Facebook. A viral video, shared by pages like Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanounia (Post Impact: 34%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%), showed a young Kurdish man from Erbil emotionally celebrating Iraq’s goal against the UAE, highlighting national unity through sport. Following this, the news of Iraq’s path in the World Cup qualifiers was a major topic. The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 24%) announced that the draw places Iraq against the winner of Bolivia vs. Suriname in the final inter-confederation playoff for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, a development that fueled further discussion and hope among fans.

3. Political Leaders Engage in Post-Election Meetings

Following the recent elections, high-level meetings between political leaders to discuss the country’s future and the formation of the next government were a prominent topic. Former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi (Post Impact: 26%) announced he met with another former PM, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, to discuss political, security, and economic challenges. In parallel, the page of Mohammed Al-Halbousi (Post Impact: 15%) reported on his meeting as the head of the Taqaddum Party with Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim, head of the National Wisdom Movement. Their discussion emphasized the need to agree on a vision before names and to expedite the formation of a new government.

4. Public Criticism of Government Financial Policies and Officials

Public discontent with government officials and financial management was evident in several highly engaged posts. The page Maraya (Post Impact: 40%) shared a video of an Iraqi woman directly addressing Finance Minister Taif Sami, questioning her policies by asking, “Are you giving from your father’s pocket?” This sentiment of frustration was echoed in a post by Breaking News (Post Impact: 17%), which highlighted comments from Ali Al-Salman criticizing the political class that has governed for the past 22 years. The page Iraqi Economists (Post Impact: 4%) further claimed the government is unable to pay contractors or public sector salaries without borrowing from banks, attributing this to prioritizing electoral goals over sound governance.

5. Crackdown on “Low-Quality Content” and Public Conduct Continues

The government’s campaign against what it terms “low-quality” and indecent content continues to be a major news story. The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 13%) reported that an Iraqi court imposed a fine on Mohammed Al-Amir, owner of the “Grand Samara” beauty center, for publishing content that violates public decency. Similarly, Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 4%) reported that an individual named “Joanna Al-Aseel” was sentenced to three months in prison on similar charges. This theme also extended to university campuses, with Al Hadath Iraq (Post Impact: 7%) and Breaking News (Post Impact: 6%) covering the expulsion of several male students from Al-Farahidi University in Baghdad after they secretly filmed female classmates and posted the video online.

6. Hisham Al-Dhahabi’s Humanitarian Work Highlighted

A highly engaged post celebrated the humanitarian efforts of Hisham Al-Dhahabi, known for his work with orphaned children. The reel, published on his official page Hisham Al-Dhahabi (Post Impact: 54%), showed a group of children enjoying an outing, accompanied by the caption, “Today is Thursday, they have an outing… Oh Lord, protect all our children and bless them with a dignified life.” The post garnered significant positive reactions, showcasing public appreciation for his ongoing dedication to caring for vulnerable children in Iraq.

7. Public Frustration Mounts Over Traffic Fines

The issue of traffic fines and collection methods has become a source of public frustration. A video posted by No Objection with Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 16%) delves into the “story with evidence” of traffic violations, cameras, and “millions in collections,” directly appealing to the Minister of the Interior and the Integrity Commission for intervention. This sentiment was amplified by Mohammed Nasser Khalif Mohammed Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 11%), who expressed his frustration by advising people to sell their cars, warning that they might have to “sell your house and still not pay off” the fines.

8. Losing Candidate Amtar al-Mayahi Alleges Conspiracy

The reaction of losing parliamentary candidate Amtar al-Mayahi to the election results drew considerable attention. The page World Jokes with Iraqi Eyes (Post Impact: 6%) quoted her as claiming she was subjected to a “conspiracy by major countries to prevent her from entering parliament because of her Zainabi abaya.” This claim was also reported by Wikileaks Iraq (Post Impact: 4%). In a contrasting, sarcastic tone, journalist Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 7%) criticized Basra voters for failing to elect her, stating, “We asked you for one thing and you couldn’t get Mrs. Amtar to win.”

9. PM Sudani Directs Ministry to Adopt E-Payments for Electricity

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s focus on reforming the electricity sector’s billing system was covered by several pages. A post from the Prime Minister’s official account, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 7%), detailed a meeting where he reviewed electricity collection and directed the Ministry of Electricity to transition to electronic payments, especially for high-consumption commercial, industrial, and agricultural users. This directive was also reported by regional news outlets like Diyala TV (Post Impact: 3%), indicating a push towards modernizing utility payments and reducing energy waste.

10. Reports Highlight Severe Water Shortage in Iran

News of a severe water crisis in neighboring Iran circulated on Iraqi Facebook pages, highlighting a pressing regional environmental issue. Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 8%) reported that “Iran is thirsty,” with drinking water prices soaring by 70% and shops in Tehran imposing restrictions that prevent customers from buying more than six bottles of water at a time. The same story was shared by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 3%), bringing attention to the acute drought and its immediate impact on the daily lives of Iranian citizens.