Iraqi Community

Iraqi Community in Hamilton | General Information about Iraq

Iraqi Community in Hamilton

• Population in Hamilton:

  Around 5,000

• History of immigration:

  The first wave of immigrants came in mid 90s. The immigration started after the Gulf war and the imposing of sanctions on Iraq. Iraqi citizens took refuge in the Saudi Arabia camp of Rafha and then immigrated to different parts of the world including Hamilton, Canada. The second wave of immigrants continued throughout the decade. Most post-Saddam era immigrants were either sponsored by relatives or part of the Resettlement Assistance program (Government Assisted Refugees).

• Major Languages:

  Arabic, Kurdish, Asyrian, English.

• Major Religions:

  Islam and Christianity.

Common Foods

Iraqi food is rich and diverse, incorporating spices typical of Arabic cooking, such as saffron and mint. Extra food is usually cooked in case of surprise visitors, while expected guests are treated to many elaborate dishes. People eat their evening meal around 8:00 p.m. Most cooking is done on gas or paraffin-oil stoves, though in the cities, people often own microwave ovens to help shorten cooking time.

The preferred meats in Iraq are lamb, beef, goat, mutton and poultry. Muslims do not eat pork or pork products. As in other Middle Eastern countries, Iraqi meat dishes often combine vegetables and rice. Iraqi cooking uses two varieties of rice: amber rice in the north, and neggaza rice in the south. Popular main courses include kebabs, which are skewered chunks of grilled meat, quzi, which is roasted and stuffed lamb, and kubba, which is minced meat with nuts, raisins and spices. Masgouf is a special dish made from the fish inhabiting the Tigres river. Another popular dish is tripe, a dish made of cow's stomach; there are a number of tripe restaurants in the cities. Most meals are accompanied by flat rounds of bread (samoons).

For dessert, people enjoy some of Iraq's local fruits, rice pudding, Turkish Delight, sesame cookies, or baklava - a pastry made with honey and pistachios layered between filo sheets.

The most widely consumed drinks in Iraq are coffee and tea. Arabic coffee is famous for its strong flavor. In Iraq, people brew their coffee thick and bitter, and serve it black. Tea is usually served in small glasses and drunk sweetened, without milk. Fruit juices and soft drinks are also popular. Muslims are officially forbidden to consume alcohol.

Traditional Clothing

• Women's clothing:

  The Hashm is the traditional clothing for women. The Saya is a long shirt covering all of the woman's body. It is usually colorful but dark.

• Men's clothing:

  The Dishdasa (Long Shirt), Kurdish turban, and Shurwal (Kurdish) are typical for Iraqi men. Children's clothing is the same as that of the adults.

Art and Culture

• Major sport activities:

  Soccer

• Musical Instruments:

• A typically pear-shaped, short-necked and fretless instrument, with five or six strings. The Oud is made of wood and synthetic strings. It is played by plucking, either solo or in an ensemble. The instrument has a warm timbre, low tessatura, and microtonal flexibility - which makes it extremely popular. It is often intricately decorated. "Al-'ud" is the origin of the English word, "lute". More about the 'oud (arab-heritage.com). Oud music (Munir Bachir sound clips)

  Santur: A harp-like instrument having multiple metal strings is another popular instrument.

  Darbukkah, derbouk: A hand-drum, usually conical or vase-shaped, which may be made from clay or metal is a popular accompaniment. Also called tablah.

  Nay: An open-ended reed flute, blown obliquely. With a wide range and breathy tone, it is highly expressive and capable of producing dynamic and tonal inflections. The development and use of the nay has been attributed to shepherds, but it is, in fact an urban instrument. In Egypt, it is one of the instruments traditionally used in the ensemble known as a takht, ("platform"). Also associated with Sufism.

• Visual Arts:

  Paintings, Nature.

• Iraqi Community in Hamilton:

• Hamilton Visual Artists:

  Ali Mohammad, Aziz Al Husainy, Karim Aneed, Ashtar Abdul Qader, Ahmad Ahmad, Knair Rashid

• Musical styles:

  Muqam (Lyrics) particularly Baghdad's muqam is quite popular throughout Hamilton's community.

• Major occupations of the community's members:

  Teachers, Art professionals ( there are more than 10 Iraqi artists and sculptors in Hamilton).

• Major Iraqi businesses in Hamilton:

  Pizza stores ( mostly Kurdish Iraqis), Variety stores ie. (Franchise of Big Bee, Big Bonus), Restaurants like Eat a pitta, wrap and role, Nabeel food , Computer stores and satellite dish stores.

• Areas of residence of the community's members in Hamilton:

  Iraqi Hamiltonians live mostly on the Mountain ( Centre and West).

• Community Organizations/Associations in Hamilton:

  Iraqi Canadian Association of Hamilton

  Purpose: Community Service, Celebrations, Debates.

  Person in charge: Ali Radhi

General Information about Iraq

• Location:

  Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait

• Climate:

  Mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

• Capital City:

  Baghdad

• Policy and legislature:

  Parliamentary republic. The governmenmt is currently supervised by the USA lead coalition.

• Celebrations:

  Eid, Nawruz (for Kurdish population), Christmas, Iraq's independence day. Iraqi people used to be a happy nation with lots of celebrations. Because of the situation in the country of origin and danger that the relatives of Iraqi Hamiltonians are facing, there are few celebrations in the Iraqi community. Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was celebrated under the SADDAM Husayn regime but the Iraqi Interim Government has yet to declare a new national holiday

• Holidays:

  3 October, 17 July

• Major Languages:

  Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian

• National Symbols:

  Lotus, Peacock, Tiger

  
  

  Flag: Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors.

• National anthem:

  Mawtini (My Homeland)listen