Iraqi Communist Party - Roots of The Party: 1924-1929

Roots of The Party: 1924-1929

The history of Marxist ideology and organization in Iraq can be traced to a single individual, Husain Al-Rahhal, a student at the Baghdad School of Law, who in 1924 formed what is now seen as the first “Marxist” study circle in Iraq. This group of young intellectuals initially began meeting in Baghdad’s Haidarkhanah Mosque (a location also famous as a meeting place for revolutionaries in 1920) and discussing “new ideas” of the day. They eventually formed a small newspaper, Al-Sahifah (“The Journal”), which detailed a decidedly Marxist ideology. Membership in this circle included such influential Iraqis as Mustafa Ali, Minister of Justice under Abd al-Karim Qasim, and Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Sayyid, considered Iraq’s first novelist. Al-Rahhal, an accomplished polyglot, was able to translate articles from various European Communist and Marxist newspapers, thus introducing many new ideals into Iraqi intellectual society. While the paper lacked a definite agenda or program, the majority of the writing was centered on the need to break down the strong influence of tradition in Iraqi society. This included equal rights for women and the abolition of feudal practices. After six issues and several government crackdowns, the paper published its final issue in 1927 and was permanently shut down. From this point on Al-Rahhal exerted his influence only from the background, most notably through the youth organization Nadi Al-Tadamun (“The Solidarity Club”). Through this organization he helped to inspire Iraq’s first student demonstrations on January 30, 1927 (over the firing of certain controversial teachers) and February 8, 1928 (over the visit of prominent British Zionist Alfred Mond to Iraq).