Customs in Iraq

Customs in Iraq can be confusing.

Are we talking about Iraqi traditions or are we talking about importing and exporting from Iraq?

Well, on this page we are going to talk about both.

As far as customs concerning how Iraqis live, it is important to realize it is a Muslim country following the Koran or whatever the local interpretation of it is by the local leader.

With this in mind, it is important to understand that those who are extremists of the Koran do not honor women and children like we do in the Western World. Women are a piece of property. Therefore, they do not get to go to the local mosque. They do not get to go to school under the Koran. They must also wear the burka to cover themselves.

For the most part, the burkas are black but I have seen a few blue ones in Afghanistan. Can you imagine having to be covered from head to foot inside a black burka when the temperature is 120 degrees outside with a humidity of 100%?

In some areas concerning customs in Iraq, there was a loosening up of this requirement, but it seems to be coming back. Women’s lib was short-lived.

And when I was last in Iraq outside the wire, I did see girls going to school. I also saw the same thing in parts of Afghanistan. However, they take a big chance since they could be attacked.

Women are also not allowed to be outside without a male escort from the family. They are not allowed to go to the market in a lot of places by themselves and in some places not at all.

Can you imagine being kept inside the house, 24/7 and never being allowed to go to the mall? Women in America would go crazy if they could not go to the mall at least once a week.

Generally speaking, women are not allowed to marry who they want. Marriages are still fixed. Just recently, a girl and a guy were stoned to death in Afghanistan for getting married. They tried to run away but were caught and returned home.

What I have mentioned is the extreme, mostly the rules of the Taliban. In Dubai and Kuwait it was not as bad, but still bad when compared to the freedoms our women have in America.

In Saudi Arabia, single men and women were not allowed to sit together. A restaurant had a separate place for single men, single women and for families.

Each Muslim country seems to have its own interpretation of the Koran. In some countries you are not supposed to have alcohol, but in some places you can still find it. This was just a part of the customs in Iraq. Most of the Iraqis working for us did okay for the first couple of days, but after that, they let it go. I am sure though when they were off the base, they followed the rules.

Below is a video of what happened when a DHL plane was attacked by a surface to air missile. This was always a concern when we took off and landed at Baghdad International Airport. But there have not been any recent incidents. After all, insurgents might be using the airplane as well these days.

Drugs are a big no-no in Kuwait. They have a quick and easy answer to drug pushers: “hang em high” This is what they do, a public hanging to dissuade others from doing it.

In Kuwait if you are speeding and you kill someone, you go to jail.

Customs in Iraq and many of the Muslim countries will include the practice of “Ramadan.” This is a custom that lasts for thirty days. They do not eat, drink (anything), smoke or have sexual relations during the day.

I can tell you it is rough being a foreigner in one of these countries and not being able to get anything to eat during this time. But generally at the airports, they do not practice this. If you are caught breaking Ramadan, you can be arrested.

It is an insult to shake hands, point with or touch a Muslim with your left hand. This hand is what they use for toilet paper, that is, instead of toilet paper. I used to have to carry my own toilet paper when working in Kuwait. The bathroom never had any.

Most of the roll I would use to clean up the water that was everywhere. It was amazing to me how they could get water all over everything, but there was not a drop on their clothes when they came out of the bathroom.

Also do not point the bottom of your soles at someone. Do not cross your legs. This is considered an insult.

Another of the customs in Iraq is for men to put their arms around each other or to hold hands. This does not mean anything is going on like we would think if we were here in the United States. It just means you are liked. However, this is not entirely so in Afghanistan, but this is all I will say. And in some places it is the custom for men to dance together.

Also, in some countries women holding hands and even dancing together is not a sign that they are gay, just having a good time.

Honesty is big among Muslims; however, stealing from Americans seems to be okay, so keep your stuff close by you. Now one time in Dubai, I left some change on a table because I did not want to be bothered with it. Two hours later it was still there.

So before going into a Muslim country, make sure you know the customs. And as the tide of battles sway to and fro, these customs will change.

As far as exporting and importing go, see this site about Iraq Customs.

Iraq does have a shipping port in Basra. It is the only shipping port they have. Your package will have to go through customs in Iraq if you ship it using DHL or Fedex, or UPS. All of these companies deliver into Iraq. Some shipping companies actually have offices on the larger bases.

In Kabul they would deliver to the office off site and we would have to go there to pick up a package.

I hope this helps with your customs in Iraq questions.

Return to Home Page from Customs in Iraq.