Shabaks

Shabaks are an ethnoreligious minority in northern Iraq, primarily inhabiting the Nineveh Governorate with communities in and around Mosul and across the Nineveh Plains. They number in the tens of thousands and have a long-standing presence in the region, maintaining a distinct language, culture, and religious identity.

The Shabak language, Shabaki, is a Northwestern Iranian language closely related to Kurdish varieties, and many Shabaks are bilingual in Arabic. The community has its own social structures, customs, and kinship networks that contribute to a sense of shared identity within the broader northern Iraqi landscape.

Religiously, Shabaks are generally considered adherents of Shia Islam, though their religious life includes distinctive rites, practices, and local leadership that set them apart from other Shia communities. They observe Islamic holy days and local rituals, often organized and guided by community religious institutions.

In modern times, Shabaks have faced discrimination and violence amid regional conflict. The community was severely affected by the ISIS offensive against Mosul in 2014, leading to mass displacement and damage to villages. Since then, some have returned or resettled, while others remain displaced or face ongoing security, land, and rebuilding challenges in the Nineveh Plains.