What animals live in Iraq?

Iraq has some real surprises when it comes to wildlife! The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are home to smooth-coated otters, and the marshlands in southern Iraq shelter large flocks of birds like pelicans and flamingos. Out in the desert, you can find fennec foxes, sand cats, and the Persian leopard still roams the rugged mountains in the north. The Iraqi darter — a sharp-beaked river bird — dives for fish in those ancient rivers, the same rivers you read about in the Bible! Wild boar, striped hyenas, and golden jackals also live across the countryside. Iraq sits along a major bird migration path, so twice a year hundreds of species pass through on their journey between Europe and Africa. God packed a lot of variety into this ancient land.

What do kids eat in Iraq?

Great question! Kids in Iraq often eat flatbread called khubz, which is baked fresh and eaten with almost every meal. A favorite dish is masgouf — a grilled fish from the Tigris River, cooked slowly over an open fire. Rice cooked with spices and topped with tender lamb is another everyday staple that Iraqi families love to share together. For something sweet, kids there enjoy kleicha, which are small pastries filled with dates or nuts — kind of like Iraq's version of a homemade cookie. Dates are a really big deal in Iraq since the country has millions of date palm trees, so dates show up in meals and snacks all the time. Mealtimes in Iraq are usually a family event, with everyone sitting together and sharing from the same dishes.

How do people say hello in Iraq?

In Iraq, most people speak Arabic or Kurdish, and the most common greeting is 'As-salamu alaykum,' which means 'Peace be upon you.' The polite answer back is 'Wa alaykum as-salam,' meaning 'And upon you, peace.' People in Iraq often greet each other warmly, sometimes with a handshake or even touching their hand to their heart as a sign of respect. Kurdish people in northern Iraq might say 'Choni' or 'Chawa' as a casual hello, kind of like saying 'How are you?' Iraqi people are known for being very hospitable — welcoming guests with tea, dates, and kind words is a big part of their culture. It is a good reminder that people everywhere want to be welcomed and known, and Christians in Iraq carry that same warmth as they share the love of Jesus with their neighbors.

What sports or games do kids play in Iraq?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Iraq, football — what you might call soccer — is by far the most popular sport kids play. You'll find boys kicking a ball around in dusty streets, empty lots, and schoolyards all across the country. It is the game that brings neighborhoods together. Rusty wants to add that kids in Iraq also enjoy wrestling, swimming in rivers, and a traditional game called 'Al-Dahhama,' where players work in teams to tag each other out — a bit like a running-and-chasing game that takes sharp thinking and quick feet. Board games and card games are popular indoors too, especially during hot summer afternoons when the sun in Iraq gets fierce. Kids there laugh and compete just like kids anywhere — they just do it in Arabic!

What's the weather like in Iraq?

Iraq is a land of big extremes! Summers are blazing hot — temperatures in Baghdad can climb above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement. Winters in the north can actually bring snow to the mountains near Kurdistan. Most of Iraq is desert, so rain is rare and the land can be very dry and dusty. The area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers — two of the most famous rivers in the Bible — gets a little more green in spring. People there have learned to live in one of the harshest climates on earth for thousands of years.

Tell me a fun fact about Iraq.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along — did you know that Iraq is home to some of the oldest cities ever built by humans? The ancient city of Ur, mentioned in the Bible, sits in southern Iraq. That is where God called a man named Abraham to leave his home and follow Him — and that one act changed the whole story of the world. Rusty loves this part: between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the land of Iraq was once called Mesopotamia, which means 'land between the rivers.' People have been farming, trading, and writing there for thousands of years. The very first known writing system, called cuneiform, was invented right there in that region. So when you read your Bible and see names like Babylon or Nineveh, you are reading about places that are still on the map in Iraq today.

What is school like for kids in Iraq?

In Iraq, many children go to school six days a week, and classes are taught in Arabic — or Kurdish in the northern region called Kurdistan. Schools often have two shifts of students because there are not enough buildings, so one group attends in the morning and another in the afternoon. Textbooks, uniforms, and supplies can be hard to come by, especially for families who don't have much money. In recent years, wars and unrest made school very difficult — some buildings were damaged, and many families had to leave their homes and move to safer places. Children in those displaced families sometimes missed years of school. But many Iraqi kids are determined learners, and teachers work hard even with very little. You can pray that children across Iraq — Arab, Kurdish, and others — would not only learn to read and write, but would one day get to read the Bible in their own language and hear about Jesus.

Who are the unreached people in Iraq?

Iraq is home to several people groups who have had very little chance to hear about Jesus. The largest are the Arab Sunni Muslims, who make up a big part of the country. There are also the Yazidis, a group with their own ancient religion, and the Kurds in the north, most of whom are Muslim. Many of these people have never once met a Christian or heard the gospel clearly explained. Iraq has actually had Christians living there for nearly 2,000 years — some of the oldest churches in the world were in this land. But wars and danger have caused many of those Christians to leave, so the workers who could share the gospel are fewer now. The Shabak people and the Turkmen of Iraq are two smaller groups that also have very few believers among them. That means people like us need to pray hard that God sends workers and opens hearts in Iraq.

How can I pray for the people of Iraq?

Iraq is a land with a long history — it's where the ancient city of Babylon once stood, and where some of the oldest stories in the Bible took place. Today, many people in Iraq follow Islam and have never heard the good news that Jesus died and rose again to save them. You can pray that God opens their hearts to hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. There are brave Iraqi Christians who worship Jesus even though it can be dangerous and lonely. Some have lost their homes because of their faith. Pray that these believers stay strong and that local churches grow. Pray for missionaries who work in Iraq — that God keeps them safe and gives them courage and open doors to share the gospel. And pray that more Iraqi men and women rise up as leaders who know God's Word and can teach others.

What is a holiday or celebration in Iraq?

One of the biggest celebrations in Iraq is Eid al-Fitr, which comes at the end of Ramadan — a month when Muslims fast from food and water during daylight hours. Families dress in new clothes, share big meals, give gifts to children, and visit relatives. It is a lively and important time across the whole country. Iraq also has a Christian minority, and some Iraqi Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter, though it can be difficult and even dangerous for them to do so openly. That is actually something to think about — these believers are holding on to their faith in Jesus in a tough place. Herman and Rusty think that is worth knowing, and worth praying about.

What language do people speak in Iraq?

Most people in Iraq speak Arabic — it's the official language of the country and what you'd hear in markets, schools, and on the radio. But there's a second official language too: Kurdish, spoken by millions of people in the northern part of Iraq called the Kurdistan Region. Iraq is actually home to several other languages as well. Assyrian and Chaldean Christians speak Aramaic, which is a very ancient language — actually related to the language Jesus himself likely spoke when he walked the earth. Turkmen and a few other languages are spoken there too. Iraq has a long, layered history, and you can hear it just in the way its people talk!

What's a famous place to visit in Iraq?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Iraq is the ancient city of Babylon. It sits about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad, and thousands of years ago it was one of the greatest cities in the whole world. You can still walk among its ruins today. Rusty loves this part — Babylon shows up right in the Bible! King Nebuchadnezzar ruled there, and it's where Daniel and his friends were taken as captives. Standing in that place makes the Bible stories feel very real and close. Iraq has some of the oldest history on earth, and so much of it connects straight to God's Word.

Iraq — Kids Missions Explorer

Mesopotamian Fallow Deer

One of the world's rarest deer, this spotted creature once roamed the ancient forests along Iraq's rivers and is slowly being brought back from near extinction in protected areas.

Smooth-coated Otter

This sleek, river-loving mammal hunts fish in the marshes of southern Iraq, the same vast wetlands where some of the world's earliest civilizations grew up.

Arabian Oryx

With long, straight horns and a coat that reflects desert heat, this sturdy antelope is built for survival in some of the hottest, driest land on earth.

Masgouf

A whole carp fish slowly grilled over an open fire on the banks of the Tigris River, it is considered Iraq's national dish and has been eaten there for thousands of years.

Kleicha

These small date-filled cookies are baked for celebrations and holidays and carry a warm, spiced sweetness that Iraqi families have passed down through generations.

Tashreeb

Soft flatbread soaked in a rich lamb and vegetable broth, this humble, filling dish is eaten across Iraq and is the kind of meal a family shares together from one big pot.

Iraq

Things you should know about Iraq

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Iraq

Missions in Iraq

Pray for Iraq