Iraq was the birthplace of four of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world. They gave us systems of laws, systems of governing including democracy, concept of time and 60 minutes, 24 hour day, seven days of the week, 12 months of the year, mathematics, astronomy, irrigation, farming, etc. Their biggest gift to mankind is writing - In 1991 the National geographic said it was a gift without equal because we wouldn't have formal religions, schools, written laws, court systems, civilization itself, etc.

I agree with most of what Pamela Gaber said. However, her statement that "On the other hand the only Biblical character for whom we have external evidence is Jacob. Everything in Genesis is mythology" fails to recognize King Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus, and others.

The history of middle East is both fascinating and immense. Mesopotamia was the cradle of civilization. Without, no contributions to agriculture, language and trade would have been established. Babylon created the economy we know now as capitalism. Mohammed along with Christ established beautiful religions. Algebra was created in Persia, ect. Recently tablets were discovered in Mesopotamia which are considered more advanced and quite frankly, are far more effective at trigonometry. It is impossible to say there were no incredible innovations and contributions to our society. It saddens me to see such a beautiful civilization with brave men turn to violence and corruption. The kaliphate has been corrupted by U.S. interests in oil. To move forward is to find peace.

Thank you very much,Tyler for this. Valuable information. Best regards. Hazim.

Ancient Iraq:

1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia which is now Iraq was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq. The Hanging Gardens ( one of the seven wonders of the world).

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor which is in Iraq.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh, which is in Iraq.

9. Amos cried out in Iraq!

10. Writing was invented in Iraq.

11. The first wheel vehicle was invented in Iraq.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The first legal codes were written in Iraq.

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon which was a city in Iraq.

20. The first University in the world ( Al Mustansiriyya)was built in Iraq

However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. Here's why:

👉Eden was in Iraq-Genesis 2:10-14

👉Adam & Eve were created in Iraq-Genesis 2:7-8

👉Satan made his first recorded appearance in Iraq-Genesis 3:1-6

👉Nimrod established Babylon & Tower of Babel was built in Iraq-Genesis 10:8-97; 11:1-4

👉The confusion of the languages took place in Iraq-Genesis 11:5-11

👉Abraham came from a city in Iraq-Genesis 11:31; Acts 7:2-4

👉Isaac's bride came from Iraq-Genesis 24:3-4; 10

👉Jacob spent 20 years in Iraq-Genesis 27:42-45; 31:38

👉The first world Empire was in Iraq-Daniel 1:1-2;2:36-38

👉The greatest revival in history was in a city in Iraq-Jonah 3

👉The events of the book of Esther took place in Iraq-Esther

👉Algebra was created in Iraq.

There is a great deal of confusion in the above list. There is no doubt that the Mesopotamians, (NONE of whom were Arabs,) invented writing, astronomy, and mathematics. They also invented irrigation farming and other innovations essential to the modern world.

On the other hand the only Biblical character for whom we have external evidence is Jacob. Everything in Genesis is mythology.

Thank you, Pamela for your answer. Nothing has been mentioned in my question about the Arabs although they descend from prophet Abraham, father of the Arabs. There are historical proofs confirming that the Arabs descend from ancient Akadians who have big contributions to humanity. Chemistry, Algebra, philosophy and medicine were highly developed by the Arabs. Hazim

Iraq was the birthplace of four of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world. They gave us systems of laws, systems of governing including democracy, concept of time and 60 minutes, 24 hour day, seven days of the week, 12 months of the year, mathematics, astronomy, irrigation, farming, etc. Their biggest gift to mankind is writing - In 1991 the National geographic said it was a gift without equal because we wouldn't have formal religions, schools, written laws, court systems, civilization itself, etc.

I agree with most of what Pamela Gaber said. However, her statement that "On the other hand the only Biblical character for whom we have external evidence is Jacob. Everything in Genesis is mythology" fails to recognize King Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus, and others.

Thank you very much, Professor Amir for your valuable detailed answer. The great Muslim civilizations have also many contributions to humanity including medicine, Philosophy and science in all its fields. Best regards. Hazim.

Indeed. I have never understood the crusades. To be honest, enigmas such as "ideas" (in a broad sense) as well as religion and politics have created many wars. I have never understood religious wars. Have Christians not killed in the name of jesus Christ? Zealotry exists within many religions. Many are too blind to see.

Thank you Tyler for your thoughtful answer. Hazim.

To see the most important cultural elements found by ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, please refer to the sources listed below:  Hart, Ron Duncan (2007), A Phoenix Rising, World Arts Press, p. 33, ISBN 978-0-9777514-1-9  Elsheshtawy, Yasser (2004), Planning Middle Eastern Cities, Routledge, p. 60, ISBN 978-0-415-30400-9  "Baghdad's Treasure: Lost To The Ages". Time. 28 April 2003. See it on 04 May 2010.  http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,447386,00.html  History of Iraqi Dinar - All About Iraq and Iraqi Dinar Updates | All copyrights reserved September 18, 2017 on the site of Wi-Pak Mashin.  Concise Encyclopeida Of World History. Carlos Ramirez-Faria. 2007. Page 33.  Edwards, Owen (March 2010). "The Skeletons of Shanidar Cave". Smithsonian. Retrieved 17 October 2014.  Ralph S. Solecki, Rose L. Solecki, and Anagnostis P. Agelarakis (2004). The Proto-Neolithic Cemetery in Shanidar Cave. Texas A & M University Press. pp. 3-5. ISBN 9781585442720.  Carter, Robert A. and Philip, Graham Beyond the Ubaid: Transformation and Integration in the Late Prehistoric Societies of the Middle East (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, Number 63) The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago (2010) ISBN 978-1 -885923-66-0 p.2, at http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/pubs/catalog/saoc/saoc63.html; "Radiometric data suggest that the whole Southern Mesopotamian Ubaid period, including Ubaid 0 and 5, is of immunity duration, spanning nearly three millennia from about 6500 to 3800 B.C".  Milton-Edwards, Beverley (May 2003). "Iraq, past, present and future: a thoroughly-modern mandate?". History & Policy. United Kingdom: History & Policy. See it on 09 December 2010.  Rassam, Suha (2005), Christianity in Iraq, Gracing Publishing, ISBN 978-0-85244-633-1  George Roux - Ancient Iraq  Pollock, Susan (1999), Ancient Mesopotamia. The Eden that never was, Case Studies in Early Societies, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, page 2, ISBN 978-0-521-57568-3  Georges Roux - Ancient Iraq  According to the Kings of Assyria and Georges Roux, Ancient Iraq, p. 187.    

Thank you very much, Fatima for your excellent and detailed information about ancient Iraq. This is a heritage owned not only by the Iraqis but shared by the whole world. Best regards. Hazim.