Iraq: Coat of Arms

Last modified: 2024-11-02 by ian macdonald
Keywords: coat of arms | eagle (saladin) | stars: 3 (green) | writing (arabic) | allahu akbar | takbir |
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On this page:

• Description of the arms
• ca. 2002 version
• 1965 Version
• 1991 Version

• Past Coats of Arms
  • Kingdom of Iraq
  • First Republic
• Index of All Iraq Pages

2008 arms

In 2008 the lettering on the shield’s white stripe was altered in line with that on the National Flag.
Chris Southworth, 3 October 2024

by Anonymous

I received from an anonymous contributor that "the name of the country is now 'Republic of Iraq,' in Arabic Jumhuriyyat al-Iraq, and not Al-Jumhuriya(t) al-Iraqiya(t). Saddam changed the name of Iraq in Arabic as it was feminine, but he wanted it to be masculine to depict strength!

Ivan Sache, 04 December 2002

Unfortunately, the difference in the wording is not between masculine and feminine but between "The Iraqi Republic" (purportedly the old name) and "Republic of Iraq" (purportedly the new name). The word "Iraq" was never feminine but the word jumhuriyat was and is. So I'm skeptical about the rationale given. Nevertheless, Saddam Hussein's presidential website, pointed out to me by Jim Ferrigan, does indeed give the name as Jumhuriyyat al-Iraq (Republic of Iraq).

Joe McMillan, 05 December 2002

Iraqi Coat of Arms, 1965-1991

by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán

The coat of arms was introduced by a law signed on 2 July 1965 but backdated in article 14: "...shall be looked upon as being in force from 26 March 1965." The same law states that the old coat of arms and seals shall be used until new ones are delivered. Anyway, the bureau of the League of Arab States in Bonn confirmed the old coat of arms as still the official one in 1967!

Ralf Stelter, 08 January 2001

Iraqi Coat of Arms, 1991-ca. 2002

by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán

The 1991 coat of arms was very similar to the 1965 coat of arms, except the central shield now depicted horizontal instead of vertical stripes and bears 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 Iraqi Republic), the official country name in Arabic.

Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 08 January 2001