Iraq and Lebanon: A Comparison
As somebody who has lived in Iraq for quite some time as it is my hometown, and as somebody who has visited Lebanon many times and fell in love with it, I have observed quite some commonalities between the two cultures and the people living in both places. The similarities cover a lot of aspects, but I will be talking about a few major ones.
1. Places/Historical Sites:
Both places have their fair share of beautiful sites and historical monuments that people usually visit for enjoyment, tourism, and recreation. Some of the most wonderful places in Lebanon that no tourist ever comes without visiting include:
Raouche Rock:
Jeita Grotto:
Harissa:
Harissa at night: breathtakingly magnificent
Some of the historical/tourism sites in iraq include:
Gali Bag Waterfall:
Korek Mountain:
Iraqi Museum:
2.Food:
The very first thing a tourist looks for in a new country after touring the famous sites is FOOD. Tasting new recipes from different places in the world is a thrilling and enjoyable experience and the popular food in a certain country carries meanings of culture and heritage in it. Both countries (Lebanon and Iraq) are very rich diverse in their cuisine and offer delicious plates for newcomers. Some of the most tasty items I have tried were:
Lebanese cuisine:
Hummus:
Fattoush:
Fatteh:
Iraqi Cuisine:
Dolma:
Kahi & gimar: a common breakfast item best served with a hot cup of tea
Mosul Kubba:
Common items in both the Lebanese and Iraqi cuisine:
Shawarma:
Mahshi Kousa, known as sheikh mahshi in iraqi (I know, funny name):
Knafeh:
3. Lifestyle:
Although Iraq is a more conservative place compared to Lebanon, there are still quite a lot of commonalities in lifestyle and leisure activities in the everyday life of people from both places.
Argileh:
The argileh is one of the most ubiquitous elements found in any Arabian/middle eastern hangout. Although I don't smoke, find the argileh a part of the culture of both countries (and many other Arabian countries, for that matter).
Nightlife:
Another common element present in both places amongst people is alcohol. A fun hangout with a bunch of friends is usually always accompanied with a few bottles of beer.
It is very enriching and horizon-expanding to investigate and explore other cultures and have an intermix with them. Here's a video I've made before that talks about culture and what it means:
In conclusion, the Lebanese and the Iraqi cultures overlap considerably with each other, but nevertheless each one of them has its own uniqueness and outstanding features that make each country what it is. Generally, both places have their own beauty and their own special unique properties that makes them outstanding places and wonderous to visit and explore. I have enjoyed my stay in Baghdad, and now as I am in Beirut, I don't feel like I miss home, because Beirut looks a lot like home due to the many similarities and the cultural overlap. Beirut is home, after all. I am surrounded by beautiful people here and I am enjoying every minute spent with them, as they have made me feel welcome and a part of them. I'll always cherish the time I have spent here with those people and in this gorgeous, splendid country.
As somebody who has lived in Iraq for quite some time as it is my hometown, and as somebody who has visited Lebanon many times and fell in love with it, I have observed quite some commonalities between the two cultures and the people living in both places. The similarities cover a lot of aspects, but I will be talking about a few major ones.
1. Places/Historical Sites:
Both places have their fair share of beautiful sites and historical monuments that people usually visit for enjoyment, tourism, and recreation. Some of the most wonderful places in Lebanon that no tourist ever comes without visiting include:
Raouche Rock:
Jeita Grotto:
Harissa:
Harissa at night: breathtakingly magnificent
Some of the historical/tourism sites in iraq include:
Gali Bag Waterfall:
Korek Mountain:
Iraqi Museum:
2.Food:
The very first thing a tourist looks for in a new country after touring the famous sites is FOOD. Tasting new recipes from different places in the world is a thrilling and enjoyable experience and the popular food in a certain country carries meanings of culture and heritage in it. Both countries (Lebanon and Iraq) are very rich diverse in their cuisine and offer delicious plates for newcomers. Some of the most tasty items I have tried were:
Lebanese cuisine:
Hummus:
Fattoush:
Fatteh:
Iraqi Cuisine:
Dolma:
Kahi & gimar: a common breakfast item best served with a hot cup of tea
Mosul Kubba:
Common items in both the Lebanese and Iraqi cuisine:
Shawarma:
Mahshi Kousa, known as sheikh mahshi in iraqi (I know, funny name):
Knafeh:
3. Lifestyle:
Although Iraq is a more conservative place compared to Lebanon, there are still quite a lot of commonalities in lifestyle and leisure activities in the everyday life of people from both places.
Argileh:
The argileh is one of the most ubiquitous elements found in any Arabian/middle eastern hangout. Although I don't smoke, find the argileh a part of the culture of both countries (and many other Arabian countries, for that matter).
Friends smoking argileh in Lebanon
Group of Iraqi friends out at night
Smoking argileh
Another common element present in both places amongst people is alcohol. A fun hangout with a bunch of friends is usually always accompanied with a few bottles of beer.
A group of friends having fun at a pub
in Beirut
Free shots given to everyone during the weekly quiz night at T-bar (Erbil, Iraq)
Almaza beer
Lebanon's number one brew
Farida Lager Beer
One of the oldest beer factories in Baghdad
It is very enriching and horizon-expanding to investigate and explore other cultures and have an intermix with them. Here's a video I've made before that talks about culture and what it means:
In conclusion, the Lebanese and the Iraqi cultures overlap considerably with each other, but nevertheless each one of them has its own uniqueness and outstanding features that make each country what it is. Generally, both places have their own beauty and their own special unique properties that makes them outstanding places and wonderous to visit and explore. I have enjoyed my stay in Baghdad, and now as I am in Beirut, I don't feel like I miss home, because Beirut looks a lot like home due to the many similarities and the cultural overlap. Beirut is home, after all. I am surrounded by beautiful people here and I am enjoying every minute spent with them, as they have made me feel welcome and a part of them. I'll always cherish the time I have spent here with those people and in this gorgeous, splendid country.
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