Haqqa

   The Haqqa are a heterodox Naqshbandi sect in Iraqi Kurdistan established by Sheikh Abdulkarim of Sergelu early in the 20th century. They derive their name from al-Haq, which means "the Truth" in Arabic. Their wildly extravagant practices included sharing everything equally, including their women. Men and women were seen bathing together in the water tank of the village mosque and even taking dogs with them into the water! In 1944, the sect's new leader, Mame Riza, was arrested and exiled to the south of Iraq by the British but was eventually allowed to return to Sulaymaniya under house arrest. The sect still existed as late as 1975, when its then 70-year-old leader, Hama Sur, was said to have claimed the right of enjoying the first night with all the village girls. Clearly the Haqqa are so different from the Naqsh-bandi as to warrant being considered a totally separate sect.