Iraqi Kurdish Islamic parties prioritize religion over national identity

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— Islamic political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan prioritize religion over the nation, a dynamic that has significantly limited their political influence, according to Mariwan Naqshbandi, a scholar of religious affairs in Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Naqshbandi argues that these parties’ attempt to merge national and religious identities has capped their voter support at approximately 15 percent.

In an interview with Voice of America-Kurdish, Naqshbandi explained that Islamic parties in the Kurdistan Region place greater emphasis on religious ideology than nationalist sentiment. “The programs of Islamic political parties emphasize religion more than the nation,” he said.

“But the unique characteristics of the Kurdish people make it difficult for them to fully implement their agendas. Their ideology aligns with the Muslim Brotherhood, which does not strongly advocate for nationalism.”

Ali Bapir with Khaled Mashal — Ali Bapir (R), the radical leader of the Islamic Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG) formerly Kurdish Islamic Group KIG (Komal) of Iraqi Kurdistan, with Khaled Mashal, the then-chief of the Gaza’s Islamic militant group Hamas, considered as terrorist group, in Turkey, September 17, 2015. Photo: SM/via iKurd.net

Naqshbandi added that this duality creates an inherent contradiction. “Nationalism among these parties is weaker, and their attempt to combine nation and religiosity doesn’t fully satisfy either dimension. This is reflected in their electoral performance; the three Islamic parties together have not captured more than 15 percent of the vote. The Islamic force is fragmented, dividing their voter base and weakening their overall influence.”

The electoral decline of Islamic parties was evident in the December 2024 elections. The Kurdistan Justice Group, formerly known as the Kurdistan Islamic Group KIG, secured just three parliamentary seats. The Kurdistan Islamic Union KIU won seven seats, while the Kurdistan Islamic Movement failed to gain any representation. All three factions saw a decrease in voter support compared to previous elections.

The Kurdistan Justice Group, originally formed in 2001 as a splinter faction of the Kurdistan Islamic Movement, rebranded itself during its fourth congress in 2021. Despite the rebranding, the party’s appeal has struggled to grow significantly.

Leaders of the Islamic parties reject claims that their platforms marginalize nationalism. Hassan Abdullah, a senior member of the KIU, emphasized that his party considers itself both Kurdish and nationalistic.

But on December 17, 2024, Salahaddin Bahadin, the Secretary-General of the KIU, made an official visit to Turkey at the invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His visit drew criticism from Kurdish activists, especially given Turkey’s military actions against Kurdish forces in Syrian Kurdistan, also known as Western Kurdistan or Rojava.

Experts note that Islamist parties and groups generally emphasize loyalty to Allah and Islam above any national or nationalist identity, focusing primarily on advancing the cause of Islam.

“The Kurdistan Islamic Union is a national Kurdish force,” Abdullah told VOA Kurdish. “Our political program clearly affirms the Kurdish right to self-determination as part of national entities. Our representatives in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran have consistently defended Kurdish rights and supported Kurdish government initiatives.”

The KIU held its ninth congress in late December 2024 in Erbil. However, seven leadership members, including prominent nationalist figures such as Abu Bakr Karwani and Abu Bakr Haladni, were notably absent. Party leaders attributed their absence to strategic and ideological differences rather than disagreements over nationalism.

“The absence of these members was due to internal disagreements over strategy, not nationalist issues,” party leadership stated. “Our program remains unchanged, and we reject external pressure to adopt the agenda of other parties.”

Critics within the Islamic movement argue that the parties need a stronger focus on nationalism to resonate with Kurdish voters. Abu Bakr Haladni, one of the absent members of the KIU congress and a former party leader, criticized the lack of effective nationalist rhetoric.

“If you look at the discourse of Islamic parties in the media and their engagement with civil society, it’s clear their message doesn’t connect with the Kurdish people,” Haladni said. “To lead the Kurdish national movement, they need to build trust among the population.”

Haladni also stressed the need for collective action to advance Kurdish interests. “Serving the Kurdish cause across all parts of Kurdistan requires collaboration, not just the efforts of one party or individual. Unfortunately, over the past 15 years, we’ve faced unfounded accusations that have undermined our efforts.”

Naqshbandi noted that the reliance of Islamic parties on international institutions has further constrained their nationalist outlook. “Their dependence on external ideologies prevents them from fully embracing Kurdish nationalism,” he argued.

As Islamic parties in the Kurdistan region continue to struggle with their dual identity, questions remain about their ability to expand their influence and address the aspirations of Kurdish voters. For now, their voter base appears divided, leaving their role in the broader Kurdish political landscape uncertain.

Political analyst Henase Karim told iKurd.net, “The Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland are among the most developed in Europe, thanks to their secular approach to governance. In these nations, religion plays little to no role in the laws or constitutions. This separation of religion from politics allows for more inclusive, rational decision-making that focuses on equality, human rights, and science.”

“Unlike some countries where religious beliefs strongly influence policies, these nations prioritize reason and evidence-based solutions, which have helped them build strong economies, high standards of living, and effective social systems. This focus on secularism is a key factor in their advancement,” she added.

“In contrast, in most Muslim countries, people live with the belief that everything is controlled by Allah. They often rely on divine intervention for solutions, rather than human action and reason. This mindset, where individuals place all responsibilities on a higher power, can hinder progress and development,” she continued.

“True progress comes from believing in humanity’s potential, using our own capabilities to build stronger nations, and protecting human rights and gender equality. The concept of divine control often creates an illusion of holiness that limits critical thinking and practical solutions, preventing these nations from advancing,” she concluded.

(With file from Voice of America-Kurdish)