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#Videocrux - Communist party survives on Iraq's political margins Communist party survives on Iraq's political margins
Among the many parties contesting Iraq’s general election on Sunday will be one of the oldest -- the Iraqi Communist Party. Founded more than 75 years ago, its members were severely repressed under the Saddam Hussein regime. Since his fall in 2003, the party has sought to rebuild itself. But the increased importance of religion in post-Saddam Iraq still weighs heavily on its meager electoral prospects.
Najaf becomes HQ for communist party
For Shiite Muslims, Najaf is their holiest city – a hotbed of religious fervour. It's also the unlikely base for Iraq’s Communist Party. This house serves as its headquarters – though membership demands discretion.
Communist party calls for a secular state
Iraqi communists advocate a secular state. They claim it's the only way to prevent the kind of deadly sectarian violence that plagued the country in recent years. Getting people to hear that message hasn't been easy in a country where, since the fall of Saddam, politics has been increasingly viewed through the prism of religion. But Iraq's communists believe change is in the air.
Fatwa issued against communist party in 1960
Religious hardliners here have long seen communists as infidels – a fatwa was issued in 1960 forbidding membership of the communist party. Today they're more subtle in trying to keep the party on the sidelines.
2 communist candidates to participate from Narjah
Iraqi communists will be fielding two candidates in Najaf this weekend. Even if they stand little chance of winning a seat in parliament, they’re hoping the election will at least mark another step towards rebuilding the party.

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