Iraq observes several public holidays throughout the year, although some may vary depending on the region and religious sect. Here are some of the major public holidays in Iraq:
- New Year's Day (January 1): Celebrated as the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
- Armed Forces Day (January 6): Honoring the Iraqi Armed Forces and their role in defending the nation.
- Nowruz (March 20-21): The Persian New Year, celebrated by Kurdish communities in Iraq.
- Labor Day (May 1): Recognizing the contributions of workers to the country.
- Revolution Day (July 14): Commemorating the 1958 revolution that led to the overthrow of the monarchy.
- Eid al-Fitr: The celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The date is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Eid al-Adha: Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, it commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for God's command. The date is based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Islamic New Year: The beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year, with the date varying each year.
- Mawlid al-Nabi: Celebrating the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The date is based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Ashura: A significant religious observance for Shiite Muslims, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The date varies according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Independence Day (October 3): Celebrating Iraq's independence from British mandate in 1932.
- Republic Day (July 14): Marking the establishment of the Republic of Iraq in 1958.
- Kurdistan Flag Day (December 17): Celebrated in the Kurdistan Region, commemorating the adoption of the Kurdish flag.
Please note that Islamic holidays are determined based on the lunar calendar and their dates may vary each year.