When the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003, one of its stated intentions was to inaugurate an era of Iraqi politics in which new kinds of democratic parties would emerge. However, one of the most dramatic effects of the U.S. invasion has been the boost it has given to the Islamist parties and movements that were banned under Saddam Hussein. Recent surveys have shown greater support among Iraqis for the establishment of Islamic law (i.e., the sharia) and much more backing for religious parties than was the case in opinion polls conducted in the months following the U.S. invasion. It is clear that Islamist parties will play an important role in Iraq's new political era. This article provides "Social Education" readers with the background to the recent rise of religious political movements in Iraq, as well as details about the diverse Islamist organizations that now play a significant role in the country. (Contains 4 endnotes.)