Islamists and members of the Muslim Brotherhood should be brought on board and steps taken to protect and prosecute those who attack Christian minorities.
One factor that will favour the likes of Egypt and Tunisia is that the majority of their people are moderate Muslims.
Unlike Iraq, they are far more liberal and have enjoyed more personal freedoms, even under dictatorships. Iraqis are only now beginning to see an accommodation between their Islamic identity and democratic governance.
It is also important to avoid foreign political meddling in internal affairs, something Iraq is still struggling with.
This is particularly relevant when it comes to Syria. If and when Syrians do create new political parties, they should work on representing their own people and their interests, rather than allow themselves to be influenced by foreign agendas.
Iraqis are slowly realising this after many wasted opportunities.
Iraq has also benefited from the development of a free media which, despite some continued problems, works towards making whoever holds power accountable for their actions.
Iraq now has a democratic leadership; the people participate in polls every four years to elect their own leaders; and we look forward to better standards of living, economic opportunities and overcoming sectarian differences – much of what the protesters of the Arab Spring are hoping for.
Abeer Mohammed is a senior IWPR editor in Baghdad.
The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of IWPR.
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