El Cajon: California’s “Little Baghdad” and the Heart of Iraqi Life in America

In California, near the Mexican border, lies a city called El Cajon, part of San Diego County, home to one of the largest Iraqi communities outside Iraq.

This small city has welcomed thousands of Iraqis since the 1980s and has become a hub for Iraqis seeking to settle in America. The Iraqi imprint is unmistakable — Iraqi-owned stores fill the city’s streets, making it a destination for Iraqis from other states.

One Iraqi resident who works in a jewelry store said: “El Cajon is essentially an Iraqi city. You can live here without even learning English.”

On the city’s main thoroughfare, Main Street, Iraqi shops stand out, and Arabic signs decorate storefronts — making you feel as if you are in the heart of Baghdad, not California.

Years ago, the Los Angeles Times nicknamed the city “Little Baghdad” because of the large influx of Iraqi immigrants.

The Iraqi presence is so strong that a replica of Baghdad’s iconic Freedom Monument has been erected on one of the streets, thanks to an Iraqi businessman who wanted to add a cultural touch to the city. After obtaining the necessary permits, the monument was built. One side street even bears the name “Baghdad,” officially approved after a request from members of the Iraqi community.

The owner of Happy Time, an Iraqi restaurant in the city, said: “Even American residents have learned from our customs and have developed a great appreciation for Iraqi cuisine.”

Mohannad Al-Hallaq emphasized that El Cajon might be “the best place for Iraqis to live outside Iraq, thanks to the community and the warm Iraqi atmosphere.”

Iraqis have spread to many places around the world, including Britain and Europe, but their presence in the San Diego area may be the most visually striking. The city’s climate — hot and dry with touches of greenery — is reminiscent of Baghdad, further justifying its title as “Little Baghdad.”