Al-Duraji


Al-Bu Duraj or Al-Duraji ; Arabic: ٱلْدَرّاجٚي,ٱلْبو دَرّاجٚ; is a relatively large tribe - which is a part of the Tribes of Arabia, mainly located in Iraq but also has small groups situated in Saudi Arabia, Oman and some parts of Northern Africa, a large group being of Afro-Arab descent,. The Al-Duraji tribe is prominently mentioned in the book "Marsh Arabs", by Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger
The main tribe of Al-Bu Daraj is based in Baghdad, but also has large groups based in Basra. Al-Bu Daraj's grand sheikh and overall leader is Sheikh Ali Alsha'lan; Arabic:. The tribe of Al-Bu Daraj remains both Shia and Sunni and recent turmoil between both sects has not affected the civil relationship within the Tribe, some even speculating the double crescent in the Bani Duraj banner/flag signifies the unification of both sects.

Bani Duraj's reputation

Al-Bu Duraj are known locally as the "Lions", Arabic: ; for there valiant and courageous acts in protecting their land, Iraq, and their people. Even with the segregation between Islamic Sects; Bani Duraj stood strong; Shia's, Sunni's, Arabs and Afro-Iraqis all fought together under the Al-Duraji tribe - aiding the Iraqi Armed Forces in the victory and liberation of Iraq.
Land disputes with the State of Kuwait
During the epoch of the Iraqi Insurgency and the Iraqi Civil War, the State of Kuwait attempted to alter the Iraq–Kuwait barrier in the Basra Governorate and usurp Iraqi land. Due to Bani Duraj having a fair amount of tribesmen situated in the Basra Governorate, they decided to collectively warn the country of Kuwait. However, Kuwait decided to respond by taunting and mildly disrespecting the Duraji Tribe and their tribesmen, which ceased to be a fatal mistake by the Kuwaitis; enraging the tribesmen and causing a localised war between Al-Bu Duraj and Kuwait and concluding to a swift and humiliating loss for the Kuwaitis, causing them to retreat against the tribesmen forces due to the tribesmen courageous and fearless armed front, resulting in a forceful halt of Kuwait's alterations and a return to the original Iraq–Kuwait barrier.

Notable tribe members