Youth Strike Balance Between Conservatism, Modernity

He says, “Most Iraqi youth reject the criticism against them and feel that they live in a democratic society where they are free to express themselves in appropriate ways. Parents, however, describe these sorts of convictions among young people as delinquency.”

In 2013, the US Agency for Human Development confirmed that “Iraq is home to one of the most youthful populations in the world. … Currently, the unemployment rate for young adults in Iraq is around 18%, leaving the youth population frustrated, dependent and desperate for work.”

However, cleric Abdul-Rahman al-Dulaimi of Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad, criticizes the openness and "cultural mess" that followed the events of 2003, refusing to place the changes under the category of “freedom and democracy.” Speaking to Al-Monitor, he notes that there is a “plot” against Islam, one that aims to corrupt the minds of the youth.

“The youth of Iraq are uncontrolled and do whatever they like,” he added.

A lot of accessories and jewelry stores sell Western clothes, hats and necklaces with religious symbols, photos of Western celebrities and other Western products.

The head of Iraq's Youth Parliament, Hossam al-Rubaie, told Al-Monitor that he calls on the concerned authorities to “understand the needs of the youth and study their material and cultural demands.”

Ali al-Moussawi, an Iraqi journalist, describes to Al-Monitor what is happening as a “cultural conflict about identity among the young people of Iraq.”

“The youth," he says, "are looking for a cultural and religious identity. They change the icons they wear every now and then. On religious occasions, they are overly enthusiastic about performing religious rituals. On regular days, however, they exaggerate their openness, drawing criticism from society.”