Religious minorities
Followers of other religions include Christians and even smaller groups of Yazīdīs, Mandaeans, Jews, and Bahāʾīs. (See Mandaeanism; Bahāʾī faith.) The nearly extinct Jewish community traces its origins to the Babylonian Exile (586–516 bc). Jews formerly constituted a small but significant minority and were largely concentrated in or around Baghdad, but, with the rise of Zionism, anti-Jewish feelings became widespread. This tension eventually led to the massive Farhūd pogrom of June 1941. With the establishment of Israel in 1948, most Jews emigrated there or elsewhere. The Christian communities are chiefly descendants of the ancient population that was not converted to Islam in the 7th century. They are subdivided among various sects, including Nestorians (Assyrians), Chaldeans—who broke with the Nestorians in the 16th century and are now affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church—and members of the Syriac Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches. About one million Christians lived in Iraq when the Iraq War began. International organizations estimate that more than half have left the country since then, mostly to escape poverty and violence by Muslim extremists.
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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Iraq - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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The country of Iraq covers the region known since ancient times as Mesopotamia, a Greek word meaning "land between the rivers." The fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers supported some of the world’s earliest civilizations. In modern times Iraq became one of the world’s leading oil producers. The capital is Baghdad.
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Iraq - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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In ancient times Iraq was called Mesopotamia, a Greek word meaning "land between the rivers." This Middle Eastern country, located at the headwaters of the Persian Gulf, lies partly between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, a fertile area often regarded as the cradle of civilization. Its history dates back some 5,000 years. In the second half of the 20th century, the Republic of Iraq became a leading producer of petroleum. The capital of Iraq is Baghdad. Area 167,618 square miles (434,128 square kilometers). Population (2013 est.) 34,776,000.
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