A Minority at the Intersection of Religious and Ethnic Identities in Iraq: Shabaks

The purpose of this research is to examine the social and political life of the Shabak community, which is a minority group living in Iraq. Shabaks are an ethno-religious group residing in Iraq, distinguished primarily by their religious characteristics rather than their ethnic background. Like other non-Arab ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, Shabaks have been subjected to discrimination, oppression, and forced migration. The study explores how the historical narratives of the Shabak community have been constructed and transmitted over time. It sheds light on how Shabaks have managed to preserve their religious and ethnic identity within the complex social structure of their region in which they live. Additionally, the challenges faced by the Shabaks during the ISIS attacks, which began in 2014, are examined in broad terms. In conclusion, the Shabak community has struggled to achieve its political aspirations due to being perpetually overshadowed by ongoing ethnic and religious conflicts. The data for this research were collected through a literature review, and a general analysis of the Shabak community was conducted based on the findings obtained from the literature studies.