According to a study, Jewish sites in Iraq include, over 250 synagogues, 48 Jewish schools, nine sanctuaries and five cemeteries.[1] Most of them were abandoned and left in ruins between 1941 and 1951 when Jews were persecuted.[2][3] These sites were well protected during the regime of Saddam Hussein. However, the situation deteriorated, after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Before the Jewish exodus, Iraq was home to one of the largest and oldest Jewish communities in the Middle East. Most of them lived in Baghdad, followed by Basra, Mosul, Kirkuk, Tikrit and other major cities. A significant community of Kurdish Jews also existed in Erbil. After Israel and Palestine, Iraq is home to next number of Jewish sites in the world, along with Syria. History of some of these sites dates back to more than thousand years.
- ^ "Ancient heritage of Iraq's last few Jews at risk as synagogues fall into ruin". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Jewish Baghdad | World Jewish Travel". Retrieved 2024-09-29.
- ^ "Reclaiming Iraq's Jewish Heritage | The Washington Institute". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved 2024-09-29.