Observers of the Iraqi situation may be surprised by the rise to power of religious parties in the government established after 2003. They may even wonder where the secularists went. They also might ask whether these religious parties are representative of the real situation in Iraq, or if there is another, unseen group which has not yet found its way to the surface.

This issue should be considered in the context of the historical background of secularism in modern Iraq. Secularism was ideologically associated with the nationalist or left-wing model, which has attached to it the stereotype of being anti-religion. On the other hand, the huge failure of the previous regimes have left a bad impression of secularism, since it is somewhat associated to nationalist or leftist ideology in the collective conscience of Iraqis.

After 2003, secular figures were unable to create a societal current that was involved in the political process for various reasons.

First, the secular personalities participating in the political process after 2003 lacked any kind of efficient partisan organization and presence among the voting public. This led to their decline and elimination as soon as the electoral process began. On the other side, the religious parties have a long experience of party organization and popular support.