The Iraqi government has proposed restoring Iraqi National Day for the first time since the US-led invasion of 2003.
The proposal would see the occasion marked on October 3, the day already observed in Iraq for being when the country gained independence from Britain in 1932 and became the 57th member of the League of Nations.
“The cabinet designated October 3 of every year as Iraq’s National Day to celebrate and mark the independence of Iraq and the end of the British mandate on 03/10/1932,” Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s office said.
Culture Minister Hassan Nazim discussed the idea of having the national day on the same day Iraq joined the League with the cabinet and members of Parliament, the ministry said.
"The importance of this day is due to the fact that it is an official and international recognition of the establishment of the Iraqi state, to be among the first Arabs to gain independence," the ministry said.
The National Day will be an "official holiday celebrated by Iraqis of various religions, sects and nationalities with their Iraqi identity," it said.
The cabinet agreed on the date and a draft bill will now have to be approved by Parliament in order for it to be ratified.
"Finally Iraq will have a national day and the public can celebrate because since 2003 we have not had a day to celebrate Iraq," Jaber Al Jaberi, a member of parliament, told The National.
Mr Al Jaberi said that prior to 2003 the National Day in Iraq was associated with intra-Iraq political changes – the overthrow of the monarchy and, later, the establishment of the Baath party.
"Before, the National Day was July 14 [the 1958 revolution]. Then the Baath party came to power, on July 17, 1968, so they celebrated both July 14 and 17 as a national day," Mr Al Jaberi said.
Neither date was observed after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled longtime dictator and Baath party leader Saddam Hussein.
Mr Al Jaberi said Parliament would soon set a date for the first reading of the draft bill, with a second reading a week later to make any modifications, and then a third reading and a vote on the law. He said he expected the move to be approved.
Feisal Al Istrabadi, the first Iraqi ambassador to the UN after the 2003 invasion, said he had advocated for the country to observe National Day for the past 17 years.
“Hope it is codified by parliament. Never understood resistance to having Iraq’s formal independence be the National Day,” he said.
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Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
