Religious Minority in Iraq 1750-1831

Abstract

Iraq witnessed religious minorities for thousands of years that lived in its land like the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Armenians, Shabaks, Sabean-Mandaeans, Jews, Yazidis, and others. They had their own customs, traditions, rituals, and religions. In general the rulers did not interfere in their private affairs and allowed them to practice their religious freedoms with observance of Islamic Sharia. Yet they had to pay the tribute to the Ottoman state and lived in harmony and love with all the fabrics of the Iraqi people. Many of them held administrative positions in the state, worked in trade and goldsmithery and maintained status and economic and political influence. Some of them were very close to the governor during that era. It is found that some of them interfered with the elimination and coronation of walis in the interest of themselves.