by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
BAGHDAD (Worthy News) – Iraq’s highest appellate court has ordered authorities to recognize a woman’s Christian faith in state records rather than the Muslim designation forced on her under Iraqi law.
The court restored “Maryam’s ability to live as a follower of Jesus” in a case that could serve as a precedent for religious minorities in Iraq and the region, trial observers said.
Maryam, whose real name has not been disclosed, was automatically registered as a Muslim after her mother left her Christian father and married a Muslim man. Under Article 26(2) of Iraq’s National Card Law No. 3 of 2016, minor children automatically assume the religion of a parent who converts to Islam, Worthy News learned.
After reaching adulthood, Maryam filed a legal challenge in January 2025 seeking to have her religious status officially changed to Christian. A lower court ruled in her favor in May, and Iraq’s Court of Cassation, the country’s highest appellate court for such cases, upheld that decision last week, ordering authorities to amend the government’s records.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VICTORY
The legal advocacy group ADF International, which supported the case, welcomed the ruling as an important step for religious freedom.
“Christians and other religious minorities across Iraq and the broader Middle East suffer real harm when governments assign them a religion that is not their own,” said Kelsey Zorzi, senior counsel and director of advocacy for global religious freedom at ADF International.
She said the ruling recognizes that individuals, rather than governments, should have the right to determine their own faith, particularly in countries where religion influences marriage, inheritance, and family law.
Maryam’s two younger sisters remain officially registered as Muslims because they are still minors. ADF International said similar legal actions will be filed once they each reach the age of 18.
STATE-ASSIGNED RELIGION
The case has highlighted concerns about state-assigned religious identities across parts of the Middle East and Asia, where official religious records can affect education, marriage, inheritance, and legal proceedings.
Although Iraq does not print religion on national identity cards, it maintains religious affiliation in an internal government database where it can have significant legal consequences. Rights advocates say the ruling does not overturn the law requiring minors to adopt the religion of a parent who converts to Islam, but it could influence future cases involving Christians and other religious minorities seeking to have their official records reflect their faith.
Iraq ranks 18th on the 2026 Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. Advocacy group Open Doors said believers continue to face pressure from Iranian-backed militias, extremist violence, discrimination, and legal restrictions.
Additionally, converts from Islam often risk threats, family rejection, and violence because of their faith, according to rights activists.
Commentators said the state records case raises broader questions about Iraq’s compliance with international human rights commitments, including Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees “freedom of thought, conscience and religion,” including the right to choose one’s religion.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
