1. “Working with the Iraqi: Practical Challenges and Helpful Tips ” Issam Smeir, LCPC

2. QUIZ What was the major cause of the 1991 P P P P P eeee rrrr ssss iiii aaaa nnnn G G G G uuuu llll ffff W W W W aaaa rrrr? 1.I raq began amassing weapons of mass destruction 2. I raq invaded Kuwait 3.I raq used poisonous gas against the Kurds What was the major cause of the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1989)? –W–W–W–Water –O–O–O–Oil –R–R–R–Religion During the Iran-Iraq war whom did the U.S. support? –I–I–I–Iran –I–I–I–Iraq –T–T–T–The U.S. remained neutral What branch of Islam do the majority of Iraqis follow? –S–S–S–Sunni –S–S–S–Shi'ite –W–W–W–Wahhabi What is the size of Iraq's oil reserves? –T–T–T–The largest in the world –T–T–T–The fourth largest in the world – T– T– T– The tenth largest

3. QUIZ Kurds make up –½–½–½–½ of Iraq population –1–1–1–1/8 of Iraq population –1–1–1–1/5 of Iraq population Ashoura is a religious event that is celebrated by –S–S–S–Shiite –S–S–S–Sunni –C–C–C–Christian Assyrians Which of the following does not border Iraq? J J oooo rrrr dddd aaaa nnnn S SS aaaa uuuu dddd iiii A A A A rrrr aaaa bbbb iiii aaaa Afghanistan Iraq gained its independence from –T–T–T–Turkey –G–G–G–Great Britain –F–F–F–France

4. Iraq: fact sheet Official Name: Republic of Iraq, (Al Jumhouriya Al'Iraqia) Arabic Official Name: Republic of Iraq, (Al Jumhouriya Al'Iraqia) Arabic Capital: Baghdad. Capital: Baghdad. Size: 172,960 square miles (3 times the size of the state of Illinois) Size: 172,960 square miles (3 times the size of the state of Illinois) Population (1997 estimate) 22,219,289; 109.0 persons per square mile (70 percent urban, 30 percent rural.) Population (1997 estimate) 22,219,289; 109.0 persons per square mile (70 percent urban, 30 percent rural.) Ethnicity/race: Arab 75%–80%, Kurdish 15%–20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Ethnicity/race: Arab 75%–80%, Kurdish 15%–20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Religions: Islam 97% (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), Christian or other religions (Sa’bah and Yazedeiah) 3% Religions: Islam 97% (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), Christian or other religions (Sa’bah and Yazedeiah) 3% Major Cities (1985 estimate) Baghdad (4,648,600), Basra (616,700), Mosul (570,900). Major Cities (1985 estimate) Baghdad (4,648,600), Basra (616,700), Mosul (570,900). Major Religion: Islam (official). Other religions: Christianity Major Religion: Islam (official). Other religions: Christianity Major Languages Arabic (official), Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian Major Languages Arabic (official), Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian Literacy: 40 percent. Literacy: 40 percent.

5. Geography & population Kurds Sunni Arabs Shiite Arabs Kurds 15-20% of Iraq’s pop. Mainly Sunni Muslims Some Christians, Atheists 20 millions spread into 5 nations Brutally persecuted in all the countries that they live in Sunni Arabs 20% of Iraq The powerful minority since the independence of Iraq Shiite The voiceless majority in iraq They live mainly in the south and the center of Iraq

6. Iraqi Refugee: Internal and external displacement

8. Islam Muslims accept five pillars of the faith: Muslims accept five pillars of the faith: –Submission to God, –Prayer –Fasting, –Charity –Pilgrimage to Mecca. There are two dominant sects in Islam: Shiites and Sunnis There are two dominant sects in Islam: Shiites and Sunnis – Split over leadership 1,400 years ago, leading to variations in law, theology and practices

9. UNITED IN ISLAM, DIVIDED IN PRACTICE Elected by the Muslim community, based on merit and consensus. No special reverence for historic imams. Scholars and legal experts offer non-binding opinions. Elected by the Muslim community, based on merit and consensus. No special reverence for historic imams. Scholars and legal experts offer non-binding opinions. Three key cities in the life of Mohammed: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem Three key cities in the life of Mohammed: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem Month of Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr, (feast ending Ramadan); Eid al- Adha, (festival of sacrifice after pilgrimage to Mecca); Al-Hijra (the Muslim New Year) Month of Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr, (feast ending Ramadan); Eid al- Adha, (festival of sacrifice after pilgrimage to Mecca); Al-Hijra (the Muslim New Year) Five times daily. Call to prayer invokes God and Mohammed. Forehead touches prayer rug when prostrating. Five times daily. Call to prayer invokes God and Mohammed. Forehead touches prayer rug when prostrating. Worldwide Worldwide Hereditary. Imams directly descended from Ali are revered as infallible sources of religious guidance. Today, mullahs or ayatollahs are arbiters of religious law and practice and lead communal prayers. Hereditary. Imams directly descended from Ali are revered as infallible sources of religious guidance. Today, mullahs or ayatollahs are arbiters of religious law and practice and lead communal prayers. Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, plus Najaf and Karbala in modern-day Iraq, for their ties to martyred imams. Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, plus Najaf and Karbala in modern-day Iraq, for their ties to martyred imams. The same, plus Ashura (marking the martyrdom of Ali's son Hussein at Karbala in A.D. 680), and several other days honoring key moments in the lives of imams.Three times daily. The same, plus Ashura (marking the martyrdom of Ali's son Hussein at Karbala in A.D. 680), and several other days honoring key moments in the lives of imams.Three times daily. Call to prayer also invokes the name of Ali. Forehead rests on a pebble of Karbala clay to recall martyrs. Call to prayer also invokes the name of Ali. Forehead rests on a pebble of Karbala clay to recall martyrs. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain Sources: USA TODAY research; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Reza Aslam, professor of religion, University of California-Riverside Leaders Holy Cities Holy Days Prayer Primary location Sunnis Shiites

10. Culture Invisible (Assumptions) (Value) Visible ( Behaviors) Self Responsibility Time Control

11. Functional “Abdullah” Collaboration Collaboration Hierarchy Hierarchy Duties Duties Hospitality Hospitality Dignity Dignity

12. Functional “Amy” Independence Independence Competence Competence Individualism Individualism Equality Equality Assertiveness Assertiveness

13. Practical Challenges Cultural Adjustment Cultural Adjustment Family Structure Family Structure Expectations Expectations Communication Communication Conflict resolution Conflict resolution

14. Family Structure Loss of a parental role Loss of a parental role Reverse family roles Reverse family roles Hierarchy vs. Egalitarianism Hierarchy vs. Egalitarianism Closeness vs. Distance Closeness vs. Distance

15. Where is home? Acculturation Strategies Embracing ones’ native culture Embracing the new culture (I am part of both cultures, I am at home in both places) I am only comfortable in my own culture and am not interested in the new one. (I am lost, I am neither here no there, I do not have a place to call home) (I want to be an American and have nothing to do with my original culture)

16. Non Western Ways of Handling Conflict Mediation Mediation Misdirection Misdirection Indication Indication Taking the low down position Taking the low down position Silence Silence Relational Yes or No Relational Yes or No

17. Issam Smeir Mosaic Counseling LLC Issamsmeir@mosaiccounseling.org (www.mosaiccounseling.org )