Iraq

Jumhuriyyat al-'Iraq, The Republic of Iraq

Last modified: 2002-06-14 by ivan sache
Keywords: iraq | asia | writing: arabic | allahu akbar | stars: 3 (green) | coat of arms | eagle of saladin |
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by Mark Sensen

Flag adopted 31 July 1963, modified 13 January 1991
Proportion: 2:3
Description: Horizontally divided red-white-black flag with three green stars and the takbir in green placed horizontally in the white strip.
The hoist of the Iraqi flag should be at the viewer's right, as it is the case for Saudi Arabia and Iran, two other flags featuring Arabic writings (which read from right to left).
Use: on land, State and war flag, at sea, civil, state and war ensign.

Colour approximate specifications (as given in Album des Pavillons [pay00]):

• Red: Pantone 185 c / CMYK (%) C 0 - M90 - Y 75 - K 0
• Green: Pantone 355 c / CMYK (%) C 100 - M 0 - Y 95 - K 5

On this page:

• The takbir
• Variant of the flag
• Coat of arms

See also:

• Iraq: Index of all related pages

The takbir

The takbir [Allah Akbar (God is great) in Arabic script] in green was added to the 1963 flag during the Gulf War, 13 January1991.

The arabic text may be read from right to left on both sides of the flag, which are identical.

Juan Manuel Gabin Villascan, 8 January 2001

Variant of the flag

by Juan Manuel Gabin Villascan

The flag shown above containts text with an unfinished "Kaf" (Arabic letter similar to a "K" in English), while during the Olympics held in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000), as well as at the Iraq embassy in Mexico and in front of the United Nations building, flags with a complete "kaf" were/are shown.
In the same way, such flags do not had/have, those marks (accent mark-like) over the "Alif", but they did/do over the "Lam".

Juan Manuel Gabin Villascan, 8 January 2001

Coat of arms

by Juan Manuel Gabin Villascan

The current coat of arms is very similar to the 1965 coat of arms, excepted the central shield that now depicts horizontal instead of vertical stripes, and bear the Arabic text saying "Allahu Akbar" (God is almighty).
Since the new Iraqi flag was adopted on January 13, 1991, it is probable the coat of arms was adopted on the same date, or at least during January.
The eagle of Saladin is grasping a scroll saying "Al-Jumhuriya(t) Al-Iraqiya(t)" (The Republic of Iraq), the official country name in Arabic.

Juan Manuel Gabin Villascan, 8 January 2001