Iraq has one of the youngest populations in the world, with around 60% of its people under 25. Since Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003, the country has faced constant problems like war, corruption, and a struggling economy. This tough situation has left many young Iraqis feeling hopeless about their futures.

Recently, a new and alarming movement has emerged, drawing in these disillusioned youths. This group, known as the Allahiyah movement, practices a shocking ritual involving suicide determined by a lottery. 

The Allahiyah group, also called the Qurban ("sacrifice" in Arabic), began in southern Iraq in early 2020. It now has about 2,500 members. Their leader, Abdul Ali Munim al-Hasani, lives in Mashhad, Iran. 

At first, the group seemed like any other Shia Islamic sect, with members gathering for religious ceremonies, chanting, and dancing to electronic music. But in 2021, disturbing reports started to surface. Young men connected to Allahiyah were found h...