By Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — As the cradle of civilizations, Iraq boasts of having one of the world’s oldest legacies of culture in the annals of history. The ancient Mesopotamian and Sumerian civilizations in Iraq, where the writing and the wheel were invented, went on to influence and shape the world civilizations in the past and at present. Though the wars in the last decades inflicted irreparable damage to many of the historical monuments, the government and people of Iraq in the post-war era are making all efforts to restore and protect the remaining monuments and preserve the artifacts and pieces of heritage that give a rare glimpse into the storehouse of one of the richest Arab civilizations.

Dr. Iman Salim Al-Khafaji, chairperson of Al-Mashkat Cultural Association of Iraq and Al-Khayal Center for Iraqi Businesswomen, is at the forefront of such efforts. She is leading the 23-member Iraqi delegation at the 13th edition of the Souk Okaz festival in Taif.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette at the Iraqi Museum corner at the souk, Al-Khafaji said that this is for the first time Iraq was showcasing its rich heritage and culture at the festival. “It is most gratifying to me to represent my country and display some pieces of heritage and artifacts of our great culture and civilization in this vast storehouse and confluence of cultures, recreated after a gap of 1300 years. The government and people of Iraq have entrusted me to thank Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal for converting this into an international cultural event with recreation of the ancient Souk Okaz, absorbing almost all its features and originality,” she said while lauding Saudi authorities for inviting Iraq as one among the 11 Arab states showcasing their cultural, literary, economic and mercantile treasures at the fair. The other countries that are part of the “Hayy Al-Arab” (Arab Neighborhood) are the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco in addition to Saudi Arabia.

Large number of visitors, who flocked to the Iraqi Pavilion, were impressed to witness the exhibits that took them down memory lane to the ancient golden era of Iraq, the cradle of civilizations, Al-Khafaji noted. Iraqi Museum is the major highlight of the pavilion that showcases heritage pieces and artifacts representing four major civilizations based in ancient Iraq. They are Babylonian, Assyrian and Sumerian civilizations apart from the eras of Hammurabi, Akkadians and Qawasim. The museum also displays artifacts that date back to the monarchies and the modern period. The displayed items include a sewing machine of King Faisal II, the last monarch of Iraq, as well as coins, utensils, calligraphic inscriptions, replicas of the artifacts and heritage pieces of ancient civilizations.

Al-Khafaji said that the participation of Iraq in the fair highlights the dominant role of Baghdad as a beacon of Arab heritage and culture. The Iraqi pavilion also takes the visitors to witness the richness of Iraq as a storehouse of handicrafts, including rugs and carpets, and architecture represented by exquisite old buildings and monuments spread all over the country, especially on the banks of Tigris and Euphrates rivers. “Now, our country is limping back, at high-paced steps, to restore what it had lost during the turbulent years and achieve dramatic growth as a peace-loving, stable and secure country. We are joyful that participation of such fairs will be a big morale boost for the people to market the richness of Iraqi culture and civilization to the neighboring countries and the world as a whole.

Saudi Arabia’s participation, with the largest pavilion on an area covering 6,000 sq. meters, at the Arab Neighborhood includes a wide range of exhibits reflecting the great cultural and historical stock of the various regions of the Kingdom. The most salient feature of the Saudi Pavilion is the display of 34 archeological pieces unearthed in the Kingdom, covering periods ranging from the Neolithic period about 5,000 BC to pre-Islamic period, followed by the civilizations of the early, medieval and late Arab Kingdoms, through the Islamic period, the medieval Islamic period, until the establishment of Saudi Arabia with its three phases, to the era of the founder King Abdul Aziz.

The Arab Neighborhood includes live exhibition platforms, museums, exhibits of plastic and photographic arts, libraries, open cultural arenas, workshops, and a wide range of shops, restaurants and cafes. Hayy Al-Arab takes visitors to the capitals of the Arab countries participating in a fascinating journey through its historical and cultural wings, famous popular markets with its own mark, and distinctive products of each country. The pavilions highlight the unique cultural and civilizational aspects of each country, featuring its depth and cultural and historical diversity.