Iraqis dream of jinn
Belief in superstition, magic and, more specifically, jinn — supernatural creatures in Islamic mythology — has pervaded Iraqi society across socioeconomic classes.
In the last 10 years, the phenomena of magic, spirituality and belief in jinn (supernatural creatures in Islamic mythology) possessing human bodies have become commonplace. TV channels show programs presented by people claiming that they can heal the possessed with these kinds of magic, and they opened spiritual healing centers. The Iraqi Al-Diyar channel has been showing the Douroub Al-Raja program for several years. Ali al-Shabyani, who claims he has the power to heal people on air thanks to magic and jinn, presents the show.
Since the phenomenon has become widespread, it is only normal for some cities to discuss jinn and their supernatural acts. On Nov. 7, Alforat TV prepared a report about a village in the city of Kut, where inhabitants claim that jinn are attacking it and burning its houses.
The report shows people running, startled because of the rising smoke from their houses, and shouting that it is the jinn’s doing.
In May 2014, the channel showed a long documentary titled "Magic in Cemeteries," depicting how magicians bury talismans among graves to harm some people.
