Iraq: Buttressing Peace with the Iraqi Inter-Religious Congress

Abstract

This case study shines a light on the sectarian violence that overtook Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein, and how religious leaders gradually gained recognition as resources for the promotion of peace. This overview of the conflict addresses five main questions: What religious factors contributed to insecurity in post-2003 Iraq? How did Coalition forces approach religious actors prior to 2006? How did governments interface with faith-based NGOs in pursuit of peace? What role did socioeconomic factors play in exacerbating conflict? How did religious engagement intersect with the Sunni Awakening and the surge of Coalition troops in 2007? The case study includes a core text, a timeline of key events, a guide to relevant religious organizations, and a list of further readings.