Iraq’s youth are facing a crisis of epic proportions. With 60 percent of the population under the age of 25, the country’s young people are struggling to find hope and purpose in a society ravaged by instability, war, corruption, and economic stagnation. The overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 was supposed to bring about a new era of freedom and prosperity, but instead, it has led to a sense of despair and desperation among many young Iraqis.
It is in this context that a radical new movement has emerged, shocking the country and prompting a fierce state crackdown. The Allahiyah movement, also known as the Qurban (“sacrifice”) group, is a religious organization that practices a system of lottery-based suicide. The movement is thought to have formed in Basra and Dhi Qar in early 2020 and has as many as 2,500 adherents.
According to local media, the head of the movement is a cleric named Abdul Ali Munim al-Hasani, currently residing in the city of Mashhad in Iran. Al-Hasani’s teachings emphasize the importance of sacrifice and martyrdom, and his followers believe that by giving their lives, they can achieve spiritual enlightenment and salvation.
The movement’s use of a lottery system to select its martyrs has sent shockwaves throughout the country. Young people, often from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds, are reportedly flocking to the movement, eager to escape the hardships and difficulties of their daily lives.
“It’s a way out,” said one young Iraqi, who wished to remain anonymous. “Many of us feel like we have no future, no hope. The Allahiyah movement offers us a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging. We’re willing to take the risk, to sacrifice ourselves, because we feel like we have nothing to lose.”
The Iraqi government has responded to the movement with force, cracking down on suspected members and sympathizers. Security forces have arrested dozens of people, and there are reports of torture and mistreatment of detainees.
But despite the government’s efforts, the movement appears to be gaining momentum. The Allahiyah movement’s ideology is spreading rapidly, particularly among young people, who are drawn to its promise of salvation and martyrdom.
Experts warn that the movement’s rise is a symptom of a deeper crisis in Iraqi society. “This is a wake-up call for the government and for society as a whole,” said Dr. Faleh Abdul-Jabbar, a sociologist at the University of Baghdad. “We need to address the root causes of this problem, the poverty, the unemployment, the lack of opportunities. We need to give young people a sense of hope and purpose, or else we risk losing them to extremist movements like this.”
As the situation continues to unfold, there are fears that the Allahiyah movement could become a major force in Iraqi politics. The movement’s ideology is already spreading to other parts of the country, and there are reports of similar groups emerging in other cities.
The Iraqi government is facing a daunting task in trying to contain the movement. With the country’s youth in crisis, it will require a comprehensive and sustained effort to address the underlying issues driving the movement’s rise.
For now, the future looks uncertain. As one young Iraqi put it, “We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. We have no hope, no future. The Allahiyah movement may be our only way out.”
