DUBAI, UAE - An Iraqi rights group  on Saturday called for stronger efforts to preserve Iraq’s local dialects, saying they are an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage and national identity.

In a statement received by The New Region, the Strategic Center for Human Rights said Iraqi dialects reflect “a long history of ethnic, religious, and regional diversity.” 

It described them as a vital part of the country’s spoken memory and local community identity.

“There are about 500 main and secondary dialects in Iraq,” the statement said. “This variety is a national treasure that must be protected from disappearing because of globalization, social changes, and new technologies that affect how people speak.”

The center urged the government and other officials to support cultural, academic, and educational efforts to record and study local dialects. It also called for more artistic and media work that uses these dialects and shows their beauty.

The group recommended adding language heritage to school curriculums, supporting research centers that document dialects, and encouraging respectful use of local speech in the media. It also suggested holding festivals that celebrate dialects and help young people feel proud of their linguistic roots.

Once the heartland of Mesopotamia and the cradle of civilization, Iraq boasts a diverse amount of ethnic and religious groups, many speaking special dialects of their own.