Flag of Iraq

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of red, white and black, with the phrase "Allahu akbar" written in green Kufic script in the center of the white stripe.

What it means

The Pan-Arab colors are commonly said to represent courage (red), generosity (white) and past oppression (black); the inscription is the Takbir, "God is the greatest".

How to remember it

Iraq writes green Arabic script on the white stripe; Egypt has a gold eagle, Yemen's stripes are bare, and Syria now uses green-white-black with red stars.

Fun facts

• Until 2008 the flag carried three green stars, which were removed in that year's redesign.
• The Takbir was added in 1991 in a handwritten style; the current flag uses a standardised Kufic script instead.

Iraq at a glance

Capital

Baghdad

Region

Western Asia

Population

46 million

Area

438,317 km²

Languages

Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani

Currency

Iraqi dinar (ع.د)

Flag adopted

2008

Flags often confused with Iraq

• Egypt: Egypt and Iraq are both red, white and black. Egypt has a gold eagle in the center; Iraq has green Arabic script instead.
• Yemen: Iraq and Yemen are both red, white and black horizontal stripes. Iraq has green Arabic script ("Allahu akbar") across the white stripe; Yemen's flag is completely plain.
• Syria: Iraq and Syria both have white and black stripes with a central emblem. Iraq's top stripe is red with green script; Syria's is green, with three red stars.