Flag of Iraq

The national flag of Iraq features three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and black. Positioned centrally within the white stripe is the green Arabic inscription 'Allahu Akbar' rendered in traditional Kufic script. This 2:3 ratio design is characterized by its clean horizontal layout and the absence of any celestial symbols.

The colors of the flag are derived from the Pan-Arab palette, where red denotes the Hashemite dynasty and white represents the Umayyad Caliphate. Black is used to commemorate the Abbasid Caliphate, while the green script honors the Fatimid Caliphate and the broader Islamic tradition. The central phrase 'Allahu Akbar' serves as the Takbir, reflecting the religious identity of the Iraqi people. Although the three stars originally symbolized the Ba'athist ideals of unity, liberty, and socialism, their removal reflects a transition toward a new national identity.

While the horizontal tricolor was first established in 1963, the modern version was officially adopted by the Iraqi parliament in January 2008. Earlier iterations included three green stars representing proposed Arab unity, which were supplemented by Saddam Hussein's handwriting in 1991. Following the 2003 invasion, the script was changed to a Kufic font before the stars were permanently removed to distance the nation from its Ba'athist past. This current design was intended as a provisional measure but has remained the national standard for over a decade.