Iraq Flag - Republic of

In 1958, Egypt and Syria formed the short-lived United Arab Republic adopting a flag bearing three horizontal stripes of red, white and black with two green stars on the centre stripe representing each republic. The colours would later be known as Pan-Arabic. The union ended in 1961 with Egypt retaining the flag. Two years later, another union was attempted between Egypt, Syria and Iraq which never was consummated which would have added a third star. When the union failed, Iraq kept the flag as its own, officially explaining that the three stars were remind of the Iraqi attempt at Arab unification.

On January 13, 1991, the Takbir was added to the centre of the white stripe, proclaiming in green Kufic type that “Allahu Akbar “or “God is great.” The message was to be read from right to left, requiring the hoist of the flag to be at the viewer's right. Saddam Hussein is believed by some to have handwritten the first flag.

Reports surfacing in the early days of American occupation claimed that the US was lobbying the Iraqis to remove the words “Allahu Akbar” from their flag. The Iraqi position was that their Parliament would decide when the time was right. On January 21, 2008, they adopted a new flag, believed as an interim compromise. They removed the three stars symbolic of Saddam Hussein’s Bathhist Party, but retained the Takbir. Similar to the interim government, the flag’s legitimacy depends on one’s political view. The government of Iraq plans to hold a referendum on the flag soon.

Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.