Sadr City

Sadr City is a densely populated, predominantly Shia Muslim district located on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. Officially known as al-Thawra ("The Revolution") District from 1959 to 2003, it was renamed Sadr City after Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric who was assassinated in 1999.

Originally constructed in 1959 by then-Prime Minister Abd al-Karim Qasim, the district was intended to house Baghdad's urban poor. Over time, it became a stronghold of Shia religious and political activism, particularly following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Sadr City has been a key base of support for the Sadr movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, son of Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr. Muqtada al-Sadr's militia, initially known as the Mahdi Army and later reformed into the Peace Companies (Saraya al-Salam), played a significant role in the Iraqi insurgency and subsequent sectarian violence.

The district has faced numerous challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and recurring conflict. It has also been subject to multiple security operations by both Iraqi and US forces seeking to disarm militias and maintain order. Despite these challenges, Sadr City remains a vibrant and politically significant community within Baghdad.

The district's demographics are overwhelmingly Shia, with a strong sense of religious identity and allegiance to the Sadr family. It is a significant center for Shia religious institutions and rituals. The political landscape is largely dominated by the Sadr movement, which exerts considerable influence over local governance and social services.