The oldest active party in Iraq was born from a mosque study circle
In short: Before it became a major political force, Iraqi communism began as a clandestine intellectual movement. In 1924, a single student started a study circle to discuss "new ideas" that would eventually challenge centuries of tradition and shape the nation's modern history.
The roots of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) trace back to 1924, when Husain al-Rahhal formed what is considered Iraq's first "Marxist" study circle. Meeting in Baghdad's Haidarkhanah Mosque—a site already known for revolutionary activity—these young intellectuals sought to introduce European Marxist ideals into Iraqi society. Al-Rahhal, a polyglot, translated international journals to advocate for radical shifts, including the abolition of feudal practices and equal rights for women.
The movement gained momentum through the publication of Al-Sahifah ("The Journal"), which faced government crackdowns and ceased in 1927. However, the ideological groundwork remained, transitioning into youth organizations like Nadi Al-Tadamun. This group inspired Iraq's first student demonstrations in early 1927 and 1928, protesting issues ranging from controversial teaching methods to the visit of British Zionist Alfred Mond.
The ICP was officially founded in 1934 and became a dominant left-wing force during the 1940s and 1950s. It played a pivotal role in national uprisings and was notably recruited by Abdul-Karim Qasim, whose ties to the party led the United States to view him as a "would-be communist." The party's history is defined by a volatile cycle of cooperation and conflict with the Ba'ath Party, including a 1973 alliance that collapsed into a bloody purge in 1979.
After being outlawed following the 1979 purge, which resulted in thousands of deaths, the ICP remained a vocal element of the opposition. It opposed the 2003 U.S. invasion and participated in new political institutions post-war. While it saw modest gains in 2013 governorate elections, it joined the Sairoun Alliance for the 2018 parliamentary elections, securing seats in a landscape still shaped by its long history of struggle.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Iraqi Communist Party | political party, Iraq | Britannica
- Also: Iraqi Communist Party
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