BASRA, Iraq — The Afro-Iraqi population is estimated to be 1.5 to 2 million (out of around 40 million Iraqis) and exists in many Iraqi cities — with the majority living in the port city of Basra, the second-largest city in Iraq after Baghdad. They also live in some of Baghdad’s neighborhoods such as the Sadr City district.
In fact, Iraqis of African descent are a big community and are barely visible in the public space or in Iraqi media. They struggle for rights, job opportunities and representation in the government.