Secular elites in Najaf (1948-1958): Transformations in thought and their impact on the cultural and political scene

Abstract

As a traditional religious center, the city of Najaf al-Ashraf witnessed notable intellectual transformations during the 1950s. These changes were reflected in the rise of secular elites who contributed to reshaping parts of the local cultural and political landscape. These elites were influenced by regional and global developments—particularly the aftermath of the 1948 Nakba, the rise of nationalist and leftist movements, and the growing impact of modernist thought from Baghdad and neighboring Arab countries

The secular elites in Najaf were mostly composed of intellectuals, journalists, and academics from the city, many of whom received their education either inside Iraq or abroad. They were directly engaged with Enlightenment ideas, advocating for the separation of religion from politics and the promotion of individual freedoms. Some of them became prominent through newspapers and magazines, while others were active members of political parties with nationalist or leftist orientations, such as the National Democratic Party, the Independence Party, and the Iraqi Communist Party.