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“Working with the Iraqi: Practical Challenges and Helpful Tips” Issam Smeir, LCPC QUIZ • What was the major cause of the 1991 Persian Gulf War? 1. Iraq began amassing weapons of mass destruction 2. Iraq invaded Kuwait 3. Iraq used poisonous gas against the Kurds • What was the major cause of the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1989)? – – – Water Oil Religion – – – Iran Iraq The U.S. remained neutral – – – Sunni Shi'ite Wahhabi – – – The largest in the world The fourth largest in the world The tenth largest • During the Iran-Iraq war whom did the U.S. support? • What branch of Islam do the majority of Iraqis follow? • What is the size of Iraq's oil reserves? QUIZ • Kurds make up • • • – ½ of Iraq population – 1/8 of Iraq population – 1/5 of Iraq population Ashoura is a religious event that is celebrated by – Shiite – Sunni – Christian Assyrians Which of the following does not border Iraq? • Jordan • Saudi Arabia • Afghanistan Iraq gained its independence from – Turkey – Great Britain – France Iraq: fact sheet • • • • • • • • • • Official Name: Republic of Iraq, (Al Jumhouriya Al'Iraqia) Arabic Capital: Baghdad. Size: 172,960 square miles (3 times the size of the state of Illinois) Population (1997 estimate) 22,219,289; 109.0 persons per square mile (70 percent urban, 30 percent rural.) Ethnicity/race: Arab 75%–80%, Kurdish 15%–20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Religions: Islam 97% (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), Christian or other religions (Sa’bah and Yazedeiah) 3% Major Cities (1985 estimate) Baghdad (4,648,600), Basra (616,700), Mosul (570,900). Major Religion: Islam (official). Other religions: Christianity Major Languages Arabic (official), Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian Literacy: 40 percent. Geography & population •Kurds •15-20% of Iraq’s pop. •Mainly Sunni Muslims Some Christians, Atheists •20 millions spread into 5 nations •Brutally persecuted in all the countries that they live in Kurds Sunni Arabs Shiite Arabs Sunni Arabs 20% of Iraq The powerful minority since the independence Shiiteof Iraqvoiceless The majority in iraq They live mainly in the south and the center of Iraq Iraqi Refugee: Internal and external displacement Iraqi Refugee: Internal and external displacement Islam • Muslims accept five pillars of the faith: – – – – – Submission to God, Prayer Fasting, Charity Pilgrimage to Mecca. • There are two dominant sects in Islam: Shiites and Sunnis – Split over leadership 1,400 years ago, leading to variations in law, theology and practices UNITED IN ISLAM, DIVIDED IN PRACTICE Sunnis Shiites •Leaders • Hereditary. Imams directly descended • Elected by the Muslim community, from Ali are revered as infallible sources •Holy Cities • •Holy Days • •Prayer • •Primary location • based on merit and consensus. No of religious guidance. Today, mullahs or special reverence for historic imams.ayatollahs are arbiters of religious law Scholars and legal experts offer and practice and lead communal prayers. non-binding opinions. • Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, plus Najaf Three key cities in the life of and Karbala in modern-day Iraq, for their Mohammed: Mecca, Medina and ties to martyred imams. Jerusalem • The same, plus Ashura (marking the Month of Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr, martyrdom of Ali's son Hussein at (feast ending Ramadan); Eid alKarbala in A.D. 680), and several other Adha, (festival of sacrifice after days honoring key moments in the lives pilgrimage to Mecca); Al-Hijra (the of imams.Three times daily. Muslim New Year) • Call to prayer also invokes the name of Five times daily. Call to prayer Ali. Forehead rests on a pebble of invokes God and Mohammed. Karbala clay to recall martyrs. Forehead touches prayer rug when • Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain prostrating. Worldwide Sources: USA TODAY research; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Reza Aslam, professor of religion, University of California-Riverside Culture Self Responsibility Time Control Visible (Behaviors) Invisible (Assumptions) (Value) Functional “Abdullah” • • • • • Collaboration Hierarchy Duties Hospitality Dignity Functional “Amy” • • • • • Independence Competence Individualism Equality Assertiveness Practical Challenges • Cultural Adjustment • Family Structure • Expectations • Communication • Conflict resolution Family Structure • • • • Loss of a parental role Reverse family roles Hierarchy vs. Egalitarianism Closeness vs. Distance Where is home? Acculturation Strategies Embracing ones’ native culture I am only comfortable in my own culture and am not interested in the new one. (I am lost, I am neither here no there, I do not have a place to call home) (I am part of both cultures, I am at home in both places) (I want to be an American and have nothing to do with my original culture) Embracing the new culture Non Western Ways of Handling Conflict • Mediation • Misdirection • Indication • Taking the low down position • Silence • Relational Yes or No Issam Smeir Mosaic Counseling LLC [email protected] (www.mosaiccounseling.org )