{"id":7555,"date":"2025-11-10T13:11:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T10:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/2025-11-09-muqtada-al-sadr-leads-election-boycott-campaign\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T13:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:11:51","slug":"2025-11-09-muqtada-al-sadr-leads-election-boycott-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/2025-11-09-muqtada-al-sadr-leads-election-boycott-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-11-09: Muqtada al-Sadr Leads Election Boycott Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Based on Miqrab AI&#8217;s analysis of 492 Facebook posts trending on November 9, 2025, the dominant narrative revolved around Iraq&#8217;s parliamentary elections, specifically the special voting day for security forces. This was highlighted by a high-impact campaign from Muqtada al-Sadr and his followers calling for a boycott under the hashtag #\u0645\u0642\u0627\u0637\u0639\u0648\u0646 (#Boycotters), framing it as a religious and national duty to &#8220;save Iraq&#8221; from corruption. Alongside the election process itself, which saw official statements, reports on turnout, and a flurry of unconfirmed early results, significant attention was given to political controversies. These included widespread criticism of a $250 million government loan granted to businessman Khamis al-Khanjar and the decision by the head of the Communications and Media Commission to take leave following an alleged smear campaign.<\/p>\n<h1>Today&#8217;s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:<\/h1>\n<h2>1. Muqtada al-Sadr Leads Election Boycott Campaign<\/h2>\n<p>The most prominent story on Facebook was the call by Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr for a boycott of the parliamentary elections, heavily promoted under the hashtags #\u0645\u0642\u0627\u0637\u0639\u0648\u0646 (#Boycotters) and #\u0623\u0646\u0642\u0630\u0648\u0627_\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0627\u0642 (#Save_Iraq). Multiple posts from his official page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jawabna2020\/posts\/pfbid0h9d2hBE5iTAWFjzrMESYqj1UuQNMmbZsWgjUhkVLFu6KEWXFR4Facmkor9x2D6t4l\" target=\"_blank\">The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 75%<\/strong>), shared his statements from the social media platform &#8220;X&#8221;. One post quoted a Quranic verse describing &#8220;Gog and Magog&#8221; as <em>&#8220;mischief-makers in the land,&#8221;<\/em> which followers interpreted as a reference to corrupt politicians. The page also posted a short message from Sadr stating, <em>&#8220;Our security forces are the protectors of reform.&#8221;<\/em> This narrative was amplified by other pages like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MissYou.iq\/posts\/pfbid02zBRgh5uRPV892SNCT9ktnFdYtZz6dmuG3nPBPKC5XmudCeNVs5t6Lar5wFDNxHHzl\" target=\"_blank\">Iraqi News Center<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 12%<\/strong>), which declared, <em>&#8220;The heroic Iraqi army will not kneel to your corruption.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>2. Criticism Over $250M Government Loan to Khamis al-Khanjar<\/h2>\n<p>A significant point of contention online was the Iraqi government&#8217;s decision to grant a $250 million loan to politician and businessman Khamis al-Khanjar to support his investment projects. The page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1775548436490620\/\" target=\"_blank\">Haider al-Hamdani<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 35%<\/strong>) broke the story, framing it as a misuse of public funds by posting a video with the caption, <em>&#8220;From the money of Iraqis!!&#8221;<\/em> This criticism was echoed by the page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/2612009592530696\/\" target=\"_blank\">From Baghdad<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 2%<\/strong>), which shared a video of the mother of a martyr confronting al-Khanjar and demanding justice for her son, asking, <em>&#8220;I want my son&#8217;s blood from you!&#8221;<\/em> The posts generated strong reactions, with users questioning the government&#8217;s priorities and the allocation of such a large sum to a political figure.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Special Voting Day for Iraqi Security Forces<\/h2>\n<p>The special voting day for security forces ahead of the general election was a major topic of discussion, with numerous pages covering the event. Official entities like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/715384671596146\/\" target=\"_blank\">Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS)<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 12%<\/strong>) shared videos of its chief, Lieutenant General Karim al-Tamimi, and other personnel casting their ballots. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani&#8217;s office, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MohamedShiaAlsudani\/posts\/pfbid0HaCgbaBybjMSc3mykGKjt8QWDdM2JetiWg8eZqbPtxQ4QgESHnfa9XjsRmP5GJHxl\" target=\"_blank\">Engineer Mohammed Shia al-Sudani<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 6%<\/strong>), released a statement congratulating the forces and stressing the duty to provide a secure electoral environment. Meanwhile, news pages like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Brothersirq\/posts\/pfbid0Y4nv3WPHGCEKRE1mB2LcCxtRG8xAcYzB887DY9JQRBzHGnRUC1W44JVjMA4BrDjal\" target=\"_blank\">Al-Khuwa Al-Nathifa<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 11%<\/strong>) reported that the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced a match between the manual and electronic vote counts. Turnout figures were also shared, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Ahmed.Althawaq.official\/posts\/pfbid02bvfwKkh6zDXsYXqpDUrdaNud87k71L9Lbd9XiAbAgLX484e5NVEHJ6bx3AdZtBDfl\" target=\"_blank\">Ahmed Althawaq<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 6%<\/strong>) providing specific numbers of voters.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Nofal Abu Ragheef Requests Leave Amid Smear Campaign<\/h2>\n<p>Multiple pages reported that Nofal Abu Ragheef, the head of Iraq&#8217;s Communications and Media Commission, has requested a one-month leave of absence. According to pages like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/haideralHamdaniofficial\/posts\/pfbid02rBijJZJMXmHZSAZuy1uq8N8ngMrsrnrm3kdy9VV6GkK92cBSSZG2FAeRZBRAHXQml\" target=\"_blank\">Haider Khalaf Ghazi<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 9%<\/strong>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/yallaiq\/posts\/pfbid027PbLvKgdYcbjjvX3Hfez4ee7CyxgVzTf3jx3nXSUkmJpkX5g4sPcd9VRCgq1tNnAl\" target=\"_blank\">Yalla<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 7%<\/strong>), Abu Ragheef cited a need to care for his sick mother and to pursue legal action against what he described as <em>&#8220;systematic blackmailing attacks&#8221;<\/em> that have damaged his reputation and that of his family. The posts suggest the leave is a direct result of a smear campaign against him, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Baghdad1\/posts\/pfbid0iyZDSzxa5JXAmYhbkqaxKRbvggXmtqX9snaqSRkxkutCheBjAHYjz8F2Ryy6XpNwl\" target=\"_blank\">Baghdad<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 4%<\/strong>) noting he requested the government follow up on the judicial investigation into the &#8220;network of accounts and personalities&#8221; targeting him.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Claims of Early, Unofficial Election Results Circulate<\/h2>\n<p>Following the special voting for security forces, several pages began circulating unconfirmed, preliminary results that claimed specific candidates and parties were taking the lead in various provinces. For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IraQeenWBas\/posts\/pfbid02ozi3fcuMzhoiqeU59MoYBmFVBuPaYVg9He9B32EiBLaaeuDeUhpmgjSJPubhvXmBl\" target=\"_blank\">Iraqeen W Bas<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 18%<\/strong>) reported that the Prime Minister was leading in Baghdad by a large margin. The same page also claimed former Nineveh governor Najm al-Jubouri was sweeping the vote in his province. Similarly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DiiyalaTV\/posts\/pfbid0S97EMiEXgYghyqGH6BxSwL3tdquujyHdwYfBrR2t1iqphDogjM5FVHdYiWXE8BuGl\" target=\"_blank\">Diyala Diyala TV<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 4%<\/strong>) stated a candidate named Al-Majma&#8217;i was poised for a historic win in Diyala. In response to such claims, the page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Tech4Peace\/posts\/pfbid022z3MA5c1ALwH99RPCXQk1NBpkFTVK2e6h5FQKn3Hxi5hnBxpNLyyo6vw9Rc73zeUl\" target=\"_blank\">Tech 4 Peace<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 5%<\/strong>) cautioned its followers that the Independent High Electoral Commission is the only official source for results and that all other announcements lack credibility.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Albasheer Show Offers Satirical Takes on Elections<\/h2>\n<p>The popular satirical program Albasheer Show provided commentary on the elections through short video clips. In one highly engaged reel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1504585877821729\/\" target=\"_blank\">Albasheer Show &#8211; albasheer show<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 26%<\/strong>) sarcastically questioned candidates about their electoral platforms with the simple question, <em>&#8220;What is your electoral program?&#8221;<\/em> highlighting a perceived lack of substance. Another clip from the same page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1398473045040206\/\" target=\"_blank\">Albasheer Show &#8211; albasheer show<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 11%<\/strong>), humorously depicted the commotion surrounding a political figure&#8217;s arrival, asking, <em>&#8220;What&#8217;s all this fuss? Who came?&#8221;<\/em> These posts used satire to critique the political process and the behavior of candidates during the election season.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Praise for Zakho Football Club Fans<\/h2>\n<p>Fans of the Zakho football club received positive attention, with pages highlighting their passionate support. The page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/4221738804767914\/\" target=\"_blank\">Al-Ghasala<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 16%<\/strong>) posted a reel suggesting that due to the enthusiasm of Zakho&#8217;s supporters, <em>&#8220;Iraq has reached the top ranks.&#8221;<\/em> The praise was echoed by former Iraqi national team captain Younis Mahmoud. On his page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02W9wf2aRsXs53pwXD67knkww67vbxigkLQkuNWNcS9m7UGvBhKt46P1vpdvAf8pGYl&#038;id=100044635560176\" target=\"_blank\">Younis Mahmoud &#8211; Younis Mahmoud<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 3%<\/strong>), he shared an image of the fans with a caption expressing his love for the club and providing a link for fans to vote in a FIFA poll, presumably related to the fan display.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Commendations for Security Forces on Election Day<\/h2>\n<p>Separate from posts about the voting process itself, several pages shared messages of gratitude and praise for the security forces&#8217; role in securing the special election day. Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, on his official page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Nouri.Kamel.AlMaliki\/posts\/pfbid02NbnuDUS4uyYBC8KzT5n6Fx3SXTExqU91c7g3g2c9tz5LN1dib8LYp1kVQhnvWHy6l\" target=\"_blank\">Nouri AlMaliki &#8211; Nouri Al-Maliki<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 11%<\/strong>), posted a message simply stating, <em>&#8220;Thank you, protectors of Iraq.&#8221;<\/em> This sentiment was shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1169458331254196\/\" target=\"_blank\">Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Protectors of the Homeland<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 5%<\/strong>), which posted a video of a citizen expressing his feelings of safety, quoting him as saying, <em>&#8220;Today when I saw the army, I felt safe and comfortable.&#8221;<\/em> These posts highlighted a sense of public appreciation for the military and police&#8217;s efforts in maintaining order.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Calls to Revive Baghdad&#8217;s Cultural and Heritage Sites<\/h2>\n<p>A conversation emerged around the revival and preservation of Baghdad&#8217;s historic and cultural landmarks. The page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Baghdad1\/posts\/pfbid02V8XrnKrUVxFgxe5abF2fjdhh4Aq5XTyXBaRy8fUqR1pfXkLbsnhuub5jbCSiqeWQl\" target=\"_blank\">Baghdad<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 9%<\/strong>) celebrated the reopening of the 107-year-old Al-Wattan heritage house in the Karkh district after its restoration by a descendant of the original family, noting it has become a cultural center attracting tourists and diplomats. In a similar vein, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BaghdadProjects\/posts\/pfbid02CNfwCnU4wVELKk9fsMnvJQZv7phcpVcVJnKKrMbJUvwaApopibHxg8EEopkX6uLcl\" target=\"_blank\">Baghdad Projects &#8211; Baghdad Projects<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 2%<\/strong>) put forward a detailed proposal to transform the abandoned Al-Rahman Grand Mosque into a national museum for Islamic art and history, surrounded by a large central park. The page argued this would create a new national landmark to unite Iraqis and serve as a tourist destination.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Social Media Mourns Tragic Local Deaths<\/h2>\n<p>Pages shared stories of tragic and sudden deaths in different Iraqi provinces, prompting expressions of grief from users. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ikeeralahdath\/posts\/pfbid0DT2npVgSdX3gePpi3XKUboMGxjoRHaCDzN4MvGt9cTEFBjyRUMa5KNvKmum5Sxysl\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Iraqi Events<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 10%<\/strong>) reported on the death of a young man in Wasit province named Laith Alawi al-Atabi, who passed away minutes after feeling chest pain, leaving his family and friends in shock. In a separate incident, the page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/East.3raq\/posts\/pfbid02Rd5GcknLx3zWaQ3W3DW2dVt6szVoxCAGNjWn7t238b56J3rav5Ctyp4Z8MCRRYCql\" target=\"_blank\">East of Iraq &#8211; East of Iraq<\/a> (<strong>Post Impact: 5%<\/strong>) recounted the painful story of a father and son from Al-Khalis, Diyala, who died on the same day. Ali Kadhim (70) and his son Fawzi Ali (50) had both been receiving long-term medical care for different conditions. These posts highlighted personal tragedies and the fragility of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Based on Miqrab AI&#8217;s analysis of 492 Facebook posts trending on November 9, 2025, the dominant narrative revolved around Iraq&#8217;s parliamentary elections, specifically the special voting day for security forces. This was highlighted by a high-impact campaign from Muqtada al-Sadr and his followers calling for a boycott under the hashtag #\u0645\u0642\u0627\u0637\u0639\u0648\u0646 (#Boycotters), framing it as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,73,78],"tags":[82,52,81,84],"class_list":["post-7555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-facebook","category-iraq","category-daily","tag-daily-reports","tag-iraq-daily-social-media-trends","tag-iraq-public-opinion","tag-trending-facebook"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7555"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7557,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7555\/revisions\/7557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miqrab.ai\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}