By Tahseen Wsu Abdullah
In general, census is a process, based on social, political, and legal, administrative, economic, and educational needs and a number of other principles, which form the main source of development and progress of the state They look, so that they can process on the basis of that census Promote development in its broadest dimension. The census is conducted for two main purposes. First, to determine the demographic distribution and availability of data and information on composition, gender, age and many other issues related to numbers, so that the state can plan, and strategies accordingly sketch these data. The second objective is to clarify through the census how the state can design the development process in a sustainable and equitable manner to improve the state in all sectors as needed at the urban and regional levels.
The census process is of particular importance in terms of the ethnic, racial, and religious composition of the population, because it determines the size and weight of these communities in society, and at the same time, how they can work to protect of their survival and their characteristics. This is appropriate for countries that do not use the process for political purposes or differences.
The census process in Iraq has been conducted eight times since its establishment in 1921: 1927, 1934, 1947, 1957, 1965, 1977, 1987 and the last census in Iraq, conducted twenty-seven years ago, did not include the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok provinces), because after the 1991 uprising and the establishment of political power, the Kurdistan Region was administratively separated from Iraq.
In Iraq, there have always been bad experiences with the census process, because the census has become part of the game of stealth and various politics, has always been a source of headaches and disasters for the Kurds, a terrible tool between the parties It has been used as a political card against the Kurds. If we look at the demographic changes at the level of major cities, there was a political and religious agenda behind the census process in order to melt some religions and impose other religions. Therefore, fear of the census process is seen as a factor experienced in the past.
The census conducted on 20/11/2024 in Iraq came after a number of major events and changes that the situation is in the interest of the Shiites, while the situation is the opposite for the Sunni and Kurdish communities, which makes the intentions and agenda of the Shiites The process and be completed in their interest.
In Iraq, due to its bitter experience with the census process, there are great fears that this census will be used for political purposes, demographic change, and sectarian hegemony. Therefore, the census process, which is conducted in Iraq, if for the purpose of the country’s development process, the result is good and progress, but if the opposite, it will be another tool alongside the tools for the expansion of conflict and division.