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Shi'ite Religious Flags (Iraq)

Part 1

See also:

Shia/Shiite national Shahada al-Thalitha flags

images located by William Garrison, 19 April 2024

I found this image of the above pro-Shia flag at https://www.pinterest.com/pin/420031102723495289 or https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d9/d2/34/d9d234659e63f08b6f0906e1eced7a0a.jpg. If I read the data accompanying the photo correctly, it was taken some time in 2015 and presumably somewhere in Iraq.

It mimics the national flag of Iraq (which was adopted in Jan. 2008) with the same tricolor stipes of red/white/black, and the green "takbir" slogan/expression/inscription of "Allahu Akbar" or "Allah is the Greatest (god)" on the middle white stripe However, in between the two green Arabic words there is a black-letter slogan/mantra used by Shia/Shiite Muslims: "We Ash-hedu in Alia Willi Allah" or in English: "I bear witness that Ali is the wali of https://en.wikishia.net/view/Allah" ( أشهَدُ أَنّ عَلیاً ولی‌ُّالله), this reflects their belief that Ali, (Muhammad's cousin), was the true political and religious successor (wali = viceregent) to the Muslim prophet Muhammad. "Shia/Shi'ite" means "Followers of Ali" (aka: "Ali ibn Abi Talib", a cousin and son-in-law of the Muslim prophet Mohammad).

On several national flags of Muslim countries (Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, etc., which tend to be Sunni Muslims) there appears an inscription of the basic "kalima" or "Declaration of Faith" or "shahada" slogan of: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger" – a testimonial declared several times daily by all Muslims. After reciting the Shahada, Shiites add the extra above-mentioned phrase. The Shia refer to their additional "Third Testimonial" to the "kalima" as the "Al-Shahada al-Thalitha" (Arabic: الشَهادَة الثالِثة). This additional Shia slogan expresses their belief in the "wilayat" (guardianship/rule) of Ali (and his succeeding family lineage) over all Muslims. This led to the development of the "Twelver Shiism" movement ("Imamiyya"), which ended when the Twelfth Imam disappeared c. 940 C.E., and no one bothered to formally succeeded him – as "The Mahdi". Then, in February 1979, the "Iranian Revolution" overthrew Shah Pahlavi and the Shia Imam Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini usurped control of the Iranian government. As Shiites believe that no Shia-ruling Imam can rule on earth again until "The Mahdi" returns, Khomeini enticed the Shiite-ruling Iranian parliament to implement the political rule of the "velayat-e motlagaye faqih" or the "absolute authority of the jurist", i.e. himself as a ruling substitute for "The Mahdi" – until he reappears. When Khomeini died in June 1989 and the Mahdi had not returned to rule, the Iranian parliament voted Ali Khamenei as their new "Supreme Leader" – while still awaiting the real Mahdi's return.

Iraq's Muslims are divided between two primary sects: Shia (85%) and Sunni (15%). As this Shia-flag presents such of a pro-Shia "in your face" offensive attitude against Sunni-Muslims, my Sunni contact in Baghdad claims that this flag would not be paraded outside because it would immediately inflame the Sunni. So, this flag is probably displayed primarily at indoor Shiite meetings. During the U.S. March 2003 invasion to overthrow the Sunni leader Saddam Hussein, his Sunni soldiers bitterly fought the U.S. invaders/liberators because, in part, they feared that a succeeding Shia government would seek revenge against the Sunni, who had extensively harmed the majority Shia for opposing the minority-Sunni government. Some Shiites fought against the U.S., too, because they did not want the U.S. to demand that the Shiites give some political representation to the Sunni. During this same era, both sides battled one another, too, in a classic civil war. Let us just say that there is still a lot of animosity between both sects.

While this Shiite "Third Testimonial" contains no specific words that denigrate the Sunni, the Sunni believe that it is still offensive on two heretical theological concepts: (1) that Ali is held comparable to the same "high religious status" as the prophet Mohammad, and (2) that Allah approved Ali (and thereby his descendants) as Mohammad's successor.

Although it lacks the green "Allahu Akbar" expression, a similar image of this flag (developed in April 2013 by "70hassan07" with "DeviantArt) can be found at "Deviant Art" at https://www.deviantart.com/70hassan07/art/Iraqi-shia-flag-368475721

William Garrison, 19 April 2024

Religious Flags at Karbala

Spanish Television mentioned yesterday that shortly before the outbreak of the war, a team of theirs working in Iraq had made a long report on the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala (currently under siege), where the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Husayn is buried. The Shrine of Imam Husayn, a large and highly decorated mosque was shown, flying a large, plain red flag from the top of the highest dome. No other flags were visible over the Shrine. However, another page on Kerbala [no longer on-line] shows a white flag with a black inscription that appears to be a Shahada (Muslim creed), and the caption, "Long live the banner of Islam which was saved by the holy blood of the Martyrs in Kerbala."
Santiago Dotor, 03 April 2003

Lots of green, red, black, blue and white flags on the Shi'ite march to Karbala.
Francisco Santos, 21 April 2003

Holy Shrine of Imam Ali

image located by William Garrison, 19 August 2024

Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals
A flag with a slogan reading "Peace be unto you, Oh, Commander of the Faithful". The first half of the phrase (PBUY) is on the top line, and the bottom phrase reads: "ʾAmīr al-Muʾminīn ( أَمِيْر ٱلْمُؤْمِنِيْن) or "Commander of the Faithful". This title can designate the leader of any Muslim community, but in this instance, it is referring to "Ali ibn Abi Talib" the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Mohammad. Ali was the fourth Sunni-Muslim "caliph" (Rashidun) political-religious leader of the Muslim "ummah" or "community"), as well as the first Shia-Muslim "Imam" (political-religious leader). Shiites maintain that Mohammad directed his followers to recognize Ali has his successor to spread the Islamic faith, but Sunni Muslims disagree. This slogan is shown as a neon sign atop the entrance to Ali's shrine in Najaf, Iraq, at https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/najafs-imam-ali-shrine or more clearly as the fifth photograph down the page at https://www.independent.co.uk
William Garrison, 19 August 2024

Ali Wali Allah

image located by William Garrison, 15 April 2024

A green-field flag honoring the Shia imam Ali (d. 661 C.E.), who was a cousin and son-in-law to the prophet Mohammad, and the 4th Muslim caliph and the 1st Shia-Muslim "Imam" ("leader"). The Arabic slogan on this c. 2023 flag reads: "Ali Wali Allah" ( علي وليُّ الله ) or in English: "Ali is the chosen guardian of Allah", which the Shia contend that Ali's leadership of the overall Muslim community was a divine decree from Allah (God); as seen outside the "Holy shrine of Imam Ali" in Najaf, Iraq c. 2023.

Source: https://iraq.shafaqna.com
William Garrison, 15 April 2024

Eid al-Ghadir

image located by William Garrison, 25 November 2019

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515169644849335411/?lp=true
Caption: A flag is raised at Shiite Imam Ali's shrine in Najaf, Iraq, on the occasion of Eid-e-Ghadeer. Eid al-Ghadir is a Shia feast, and is considered to be among the "significant" feasts of Shia Islam. The Eid is held on 18 Dhu Al-Hijjah at the time when the Islamic prophet Muhammad was said to have appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor. [an annual event]
William Garrison, 25 November 2019

images located by William Garrison, 2 September 2022

As the auspicious occasion of "Eid Al-Ghadir" is approaching, in a ceremony in Najaf, Iraq, the flag of Ghadir was raised on the dome of Shia-Muslim Imam Ali (AS) holy-shrine mausoleum. On the flag is written "Man Kunto Mawlah Fahaza Aliun Mawlah" ["Whomever I am his Mawla (master) then 'Ali is his Mawla (master)"]; c. 15 July 2022.
https://en.shafaqna.com/271256/najaf-flag-of-ghadir-raised-on-dome-of-imam-ali-as-holy-shrine-photos/
https://www.almizab.com/?id=8&sid=4059
William Garrison, 2 September 2022

Since the "مهرجان الغدير الدولي" (English: Al Ghadeer International Festival) is organized by the Badr Organization and Alghadeer TV (a tv channel owned by the former), we should include these attachments in the "Shi'ite Religious Flags" section. It was first held in 2007. It is one of the biggest annual festivals of the media, in which some personalities, institutions, satellite channels, radio stations, etc.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ghadeer_International_Festival

It seems either there are flags for each festival or different variants with no relation one to another design-wise.

For additional information go to Al Ghadeer International Festival (official website): http://alghadeertv.net/archives/category/mehrajan
Esteban Rivera, 2 September 2022

Eid al-Gahdir 2024

image located by William Garrison, 5 June 2024
Source: http://shiastudies.com

A Shia-Muslim flag that may be flown at several different Shia shrines/mosques throughout Iraq. At the top of the flag there is an Arabic phrase that reads: "“Man kunto maula fa-haaza ‘ali-yun maula" or, in English: "of whomsoever I am a master, this Ali is his master". On 13 June 2024, the "Astan" (custodianship) of the "Imam Ali Holy Shrine" (Ḥaram al-ʾImām ʿAlī) [masjid/mosque/mausoleum] in Najaf, Iraq, sent delegations to different cities in Iraq to gift copies of this blessed flag to various Shia holy places ahead of the Shiite religious event/celebration ("eid") of "Eid al-Gahdir." Al-Gahdir was the day (c. 632 CE) when Shiites believed that the Muslim prophet Mohammad allegedly appointed "Ali ibn Abi Talib" as his successor as caliph (political ruler) and the Imam (religious ruler) after himself, following an order from their god: Allah. [Because of the differences between the Muslim-lunar and Gregorian-solar calendars, the date that this holiday is held varies from year-to-year.] I believe the logo of the Ali shrine is shown at the bottom left of this flag, and its hoist may be at the left. Looking at similar "Eid al-Gahdir" flags from past years, it appears that the artwork on these annual "Eid al-Gahdir" flags changes yearly. These al-Gahdir flags essentially are annual re-affirmations that the Shia-minority sect (which is followed by about only 15% of all Muslims) are the correct inheritors to lead the entire Muslim faith (the "ummah": "followers"), the majority of whom are the Sunni (who account for about 80% of all Muslim devotees).

William Garrison, 5 June 2024

Imam Hussein's martyrdom

image located by William Garrison, 25 November 2019

Source: https://en.imna.ir/photo/327076/Marching-pilgrims-from-Karbala-to-Najaf-on-Arbaeen
Caption: Shiite Muslims walking toward Shiite Imam Hussein's shrine on 40th day of his martyrdom (Arbaeen) from Najaf, Iraq to Karbala, Iraq. [an annual event]
William Garrison, 25 November 2019

Hussein: guiding Lighthouse flame

image located by Willliam Garrison, 3 October 2024

A mourning black-field Shia-Muslim flag honoring Imam Husayn/Hussain/Hussein who was killed at the "Battle of Karbala", Iraq, in Oct. 680 CE. The top red Farsi slogan reads (right-to-left): "Peace be upon you, Oh, Aba Abdullah Al-Hussein." The bottom-left white slogan reads: "Every day is Ashura." Ashura is a holy day in Shia Islam that marks the martyrdom (killing) of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. It symbolizes the struggle against oppression and injustice, and the importance of sacrifice and perseverance. Shiites will, sometime each day, say: "Every day is Ashura" -- to constantly remind them that as Hussain sacrificed his life in combat, the least a Shiite should do is to remember and honor him every day. The fully expanded slogan is: "Every day is Ashura and every place is Karbala" — which signifies that the battle between good and evil is to go on and isn't limited to any time or place, and that this battle is linked to the ones before, forming a single chain of Shia remembrance. The "flame" is the light of Hussain that illuminates the Islamic "straight path" ("al-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm") that Shiites are to follow, as proscribed in the Quran and Shiite hadith (teachings). One alleged hadith of Muhammad was: "Husayn is the Lighthouse of Islamic guidance for the lost ships [souls] and the rescue ship [Islam]: "Inna Husain misbahul-huda wa safinatun-najat" or depending on the Arabic dialect: "an alhusayn misbah alhudaa wasafinat alnajaa" — this slogan/phrase has also been artistically written to look like a stylized sailboat/schooner/barque that can be used as a decorative wall-hanging.
William Garrison, 3 October 2024

Mourning death of Imam Hussain

Seen at https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iraq-s-shia-paramilitaries-squeeze-islamic-state-towards-syria-border/story-fjjuw9BynsSSJpMrRklMjP.html
A Shia-Muslim flag showing an image of Imam Hussain, along with a black-robe person holding a red flag mourning the death and martyrdom of Imam Hussain, who was killed at the "Battle of Karbala" in Oct. 680 CE -- as displayed near Falluja, Iraq; c. May 2017.
William Garrison, 25 October 2023

image located by Willliam Garrison, 12 February 2024
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1086000897614631084/

A really big red Shia-Muslim flag (10'x10'?) with many black-colored indiscernible slogans/lamentations commemorating the martyrdom death of Imam Hussein at the Battle of Karbala (c. 680 CE) as paraded by a Shiite pilgrim during the mourning day of Arab'in/Arbaeen in Karbala, Iraq; c. Sept. 2021. The Arbaeen Pilgrimage marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the day of Ashura, the religious ritual that commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain.
Willliam Garrison, 12 February 2024