Additional Sources on Culture
One great internet source would be the website for the Iraqi embassy in Washington D.C. The site has multiple subjects related to their culture including, sports, music, art, and cuisine. I believe when most people think of culture, those subjects are the ones that stand out the most.
http://www.iraqiembassy.us/page/art-and-culture
An additional site with more information about Iraqi culture would be everyculture.com. That website has more information about Iraq and its culture than the embassy site. The background of the country is included to give the reader a sense of how Iraq came to be what it is today.
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iraq.html
http://www.iraqiembassy.us/page/art-and-culture
An additional site with more information about Iraqi culture would be everyculture.com. That website has more information about Iraq and its culture than the embassy site. The background of the country is included to give the reader a sense of how Iraq came to be what it is today.
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iraq.html
Culture Feature
This is a map showing the different regions of Iraq with the Sunni and Shiite areas of control. Sunnis and Shiites are different sects of the Muslims faith. Their differences are mainly about power and not religion. The current government of Iraq is controlled by Shiite leaders who do not include the Sunnis in their political decisions. When Saddam Hussein was in power, he was a Sunni and therefore the dominant power in the land was run by the Sunnis. The Sunnis and Shiites have been fighting for more than a thousand years over power. The current takeover of Iraq by ISIS is led by Sunnis and it is pointless for the United States to intervene between two groups who will fight until the end of time. Below is a YouTube video explaining the differences in more detail.
http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/bookhub/2657?e=berglee_1.0-ch08_s06
http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/bookhub/2657?e=berglee_1.0-ch08_s06
Religion in Iraq
In Babylon, during the time of ancient civilization, there were multiple religions with multiple gods that were worshiped. Due to the climate in the region, also known as the Fertile Crescent, the ancient humans were able to domesticate crops and animals, rather than survive as hunter gatherers, who were always on the move looking for food. By inventing agriculture, the ancients in this region were able to spend their time inventing languages, building structures, and worshiping gods they created. In those days, the people had a god for everything from a god of war, a god of heaven, a god of earth, and even a god for weather. Different groups in the region, over time, created their own gods, using similar aspects used by earlier people. It is even believed that Greek mythology used the gods of ancient Mesopotamia to create their own. It was not until the spread of Islam in the 7th century that Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq, began to follow an organized religion with the people following a common belief. The spread of Islam came after the death of the Muslim prophet Mohammad. It was the Arab military conquest of the Persians in Mesopotamia that brought Islam to what is modern Iraq The Spread Of Islam (2002).
After Islam became a foothold in the Middle East, personal taxes were imposed on non believers; this ultimately caused many to convert to Islam. Though Christians and Jews in the region did not follow the Muslim faith, they were accepted due to the common belief in the same god that all three religions recognized. At the time, Islam did not have any prejudices towards those of different color or from another culture. They accepted everyone who believed in and practiced the Muslim faith The Spread Of Islam (2002). Part of the divide among many Muslims today, especially in Iraq, has to do with the successor to Mohammad. After Mohammad’s death in 632 C.E., leadership of Islam was divided on who should succeed the prophet. The side that believed Mohammad’s close friend, Abu Bakr, should succeed the prophet became known as the Sunni’s and those who believed the rightful successor should be Mohammad’s son in law, Ali bin Abu Talib, became known as the Shiites. Today, Sunni’s make up around 90% of the total Muslim population. Both groups follow the teachings of Mohammad and share a common belief in Allah. The difference between the two is mainly due to the leadership of the people. The Shiites believe that all leaders should be from a direct lineage of Mohammad rather than elected leaders as Sunni’s believe in practicing. Though Sunni’s make up a larger number of the total Muslim population, they only make up around 20% of the Muslim population in Iraq today Winston, K. (2014, June 13). Iraq has experienced violence in the region since the spread of Islam, due to these differences within the same religion.
Though Saudi Arabia is where Islam was created, Iraq is the site of multiple sacred places of the Muslim faith. The Shrine of Ali in Najaf, Iraq, is the site where Mohammad’s son in law, the prophet’s successor, according to the Shiites, was martyred. Ali was killed in a conflict between his sect of Islam, the Shiites, and the rival Sunni’s. Ali is buried in a gold plated mosque and he is regarded by Shiites as the true successor to the prophet and as a martyr and a saint. This shrine is regarded as the third most important in the Muslim faith after Mecca and Medina, both in Saudi Arabia. In Karbala, Iraq, regarded as the third holiest city in all of Islam, is the shrine of Imam Husayn. Husayn was also killed in a battle between rival Sunni’s. Karbala became a place of pilgrimage for Muslims and was even considered to be equal to the Hajj which is the holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca Brockman, N. (1998). Though Shiites honor their former leaders with shrines and elaborate tombs, Sunni’s do not believe in these elaborate monuments. Sunni’s believe the Quran should be taken literally and the lives Muslims live should reflect what is taught. Sunni’s do not believe in prayers to saints and any other entities; prayer is only to Allah. Images and monuments of any Muslim leaders or prophets are prohibited to the Sunni’s and this includes the elaborate shrines and tombs built by the rival Shiites Boeree, G. (2014). Recently in Mosul, Iraq, the Muslim Extremist group ISIS, made of Sunni’s, destroyed the tomb of the prophet Jonah who is a figure in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith. The tomb did not follow under the beliefs of Sunni’s who prohibit these kinds of images and therefore, it was demolished Moyer, J. (2014, July 25).
Though Sunni’s make up around 20% of the population, the former leader of Iraq was a part of this sect. Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim and he was in power from 1979-2003. This meant that positions of importance within the government were mostly filled with Sunni Muslims. This gave supreme control of the government to be ruled by a group that made up only 1/5th the population of Iraq Fuller, G. (n.d.). After Hussein was overthrown and a new government was established by the Iraqi people, with the assistance of the United States, there was hope that the balance between the two sects within the government could help bring stability between the two clashing groups. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was elected in 2006, is a Shiite Muslim who promised to include Sunni’s within high ranking positions in the government. This inclusion of the Muslim minority in Iraq within the government, could help stabilize tensions between the two groups, by giving them a voice within high ranking positions. Though Maliki promised this inclusion, many Sunni’s are outraged that he broke his promise. They feel as if their voices are not being heard within the decision makings by the government.
The role of religion in Iraq has created a violent environment that has not only lasted for centuries, but will likely continue until the end of time. Currently in Iraq, the government is run by Shiite Muslims which make up, by far, the majority sect of Islam in Iraq. Shiites tend to be more secular when it comes to their practice of the Muslim faith and are continuously at odds against the Sunni’s. The Sunni’s are the extreme Muslims who take the teachings of the Quran literally and are the more violent group. The extremist group ISIS, which is made of Sunni Muslims, is trying to take control of Iraq from the Shiite majority. ISIS has taken over towns throughout Iraq and have killed thousands of men, women, and children. They are even killing thousands of Christians, which make up only a few percent of the total population, if they do not convert to Islam. Sunni’s are a violent sect of the Islam faith, which ironically is a very peaceful religion. The future success of Iraq lies in the hands of its military and even foreign assistance, if needed, to destroy the extremist group ISIS. It is the goal of ISIS to establish an Islamic state in the Middle East which will completely eradicate everything coalition forces sacrificed during our occupation. Iraq should be governed by the rule of law, not the laws within the teaching of the Quran that ISIS and other Muslim extremist desire.
References:
Moyer, J. (2014, July 25). After leveling Iraq’s Tomb of Jonah, the Islamic State could destroy ‘anything in the Bible’. Retrieved from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/25/after-leveling-iraqs-tomb-of-jonah-the-islamic-state-could-destroy-anything-in-the-bible/
Brockman, N. (1998). Sacred Sites in Iraq. Retrieved from
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iraq/sacred-sites
Boeree, G. (2014). Sunnis and Shiites. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sunnisshiites.html
Winston, K. (2014, June 13). Sunni vs. Shiite. Retrieved from
http://www.religionnews.com/2014/06/13/sunni-vs-shiite-primer/
The Spread Of Islam. (2002). Retrieved from
http://history-world.org/islam4.htm
Fuller, G. (n.d.). Islamist Politics in Iraq After Saddam Hussein. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/sr108.pdf
After Islam became a foothold in the Middle East, personal taxes were imposed on non believers; this ultimately caused many to convert to Islam. Though Christians and Jews in the region did not follow the Muslim faith, they were accepted due to the common belief in the same god that all three religions recognized. At the time, Islam did not have any prejudices towards those of different color or from another culture. They accepted everyone who believed in and practiced the Muslim faith The Spread Of Islam (2002). Part of the divide among many Muslims today, especially in Iraq, has to do with the successor to Mohammad. After Mohammad’s death in 632 C.E., leadership of Islam was divided on who should succeed the prophet. The side that believed Mohammad’s close friend, Abu Bakr, should succeed the prophet became known as the Sunni’s and those who believed the rightful successor should be Mohammad’s son in law, Ali bin Abu Talib, became known as the Shiites. Today, Sunni’s make up around 90% of the total Muslim population. Both groups follow the teachings of Mohammad and share a common belief in Allah. The difference between the two is mainly due to the leadership of the people. The Shiites believe that all leaders should be from a direct lineage of Mohammad rather than elected leaders as Sunni’s believe in practicing. Though Sunni’s make up a larger number of the total Muslim population, they only make up around 20% of the Muslim population in Iraq today Winston, K. (2014, June 13). Iraq has experienced violence in the region since the spread of Islam, due to these differences within the same religion.
Though Saudi Arabia is where Islam was created, Iraq is the site of multiple sacred places of the Muslim faith. The Shrine of Ali in Najaf, Iraq, is the site where Mohammad’s son in law, the prophet’s successor, according to the Shiites, was martyred. Ali was killed in a conflict between his sect of Islam, the Shiites, and the rival Sunni’s. Ali is buried in a gold plated mosque and he is regarded by Shiites as the true successor to the prophet and as a martyr and a saint. This shrine is regarded as the third most important in the Muslim faith after Mecca and Medina, both in Saudi Arabia. In Karbala, Iraq, regarded as the third holiest city in all of Islam, is the shrine of Imam Husayn. Husayn was also killed in a battle between rival Sunni’s. Karbala became a place of pilgrimage for Muslims and was even considered to be equal to the Hajj which is the holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca Brockman, N. (1998). Though Shiites honor their former leaders with shrines and elaborate tombs, Sunni’s do not believe in these elaborate monuments. Sunni’s believe the Quran should be taken literally and the lives Muslims live should reflect what is taught. Sunni’s do not believe in prayers to saints and any other entities; prayer is only to Allah. Images and monuments of any Muslim leaders or prophets are prohibited to the Sunni’s and this includes the elaborate shrines and tombs built by the rival Shiites Boeree, G. (2014). Recently in Mosul, Iraq, the Muslim Extremist group ISIS, made of Sunni’s, destroyed the tomb of the prophet Jonah who is a figure in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith. The tomb did not follow under the beliefs of Sunni’s who prohibit these kinds of images and therefore, it was demolished Moyer, J. (2014, July 25).
Though Sunni’s make up around 20% of the population, the former leader of Iraq was a part of this sect. Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim and he was in power from 1979-2003. This meant that positions of importance within the government were mostly filled with Sunni Muslims. This gave supreme control of the government to be ruled by a group that made up only 1/5th the population of Iraq Fuller, G. (n.d.). After Hussein was overthrown and a new government was established by the Iraqi people, with the assistance of the United States, there was hope that the balance between the two sects within the government could help bring stability between the two clashing groups. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was elected in 2006, is a Shiite Muslim who promised to include Sunni’s within high ranking positions in the government. This inclusion of the Muslim minority in Iraq within the government, could help stabilize tensions between the two groups, by giving them a voice within high ranking positions. Though Maliki promised this inclusion, many Sunni’s are outraged that he broke his promise. They feel as if their voices are not being heard within the decision makings by the government.
The role of religion in Iraq has created a violent environment that has not only lasted for centuries, but will likely continue until the end of time. Currently in Iraq, the government is run by Shiite Muslims which make up, by far, the majority sect of Islam in Iraq. Shiites tend to be more secular when it comes to their practice of the Muslim faith and are continuously at odds against the Sunni’s. The Sunni’s are the extreme Muslims who take the teachings of the Quran literally and are the more violent group. The extremist group ISIS, which is made of Sunni Muslims, is trying to take control of Iraq from the Shiite majority. ISIS has taken over towns throughout Iraq and have killed thousands of men, women, and children. They are even killing thousands of Christians, which make up only a few percent of the total population, if they do not convert to Islam. Sunni’s are a violent sect of the Islam faith, which ironically is a very peaceful religion. The future success of Iraq lies in the hands of its military and even foreign assistance, if needed, to destroy the extremist group ISIS. It is the goal of ISIS to establish an Islamic state in the Middle East which will completely eradicate everything coalition forces sacrificed during our occupation. Iraq should be governed by the rule of law, not the laws within the teaching of the Quran that ISIS and other Muslim extremist desire.
References:
Moyer, J. (2014, July 25). After leveling Iraq’s Tomb of Jonah, the Islamic State could destroy ‘anything in the Bible’. Retrieved from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/25/after-leveling-iraqs-tomb-of-jonah-the-islamic-state-could-destroy-anything-in-the-bible/
Brockman, N. (1998). Sacred Sites in Iraq. Retrieved from
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iraq/sacred-sites
Boeree, G. (2014). Sunnis and Shiites. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sunnisshiites.html
Winston, K. (2014, June 13). Sunni vs. Shiite. Retrieved from
http://www.religionnews.com/2014/06/13/sunni-vs-shiite-primer/
The Spread Of Islam. (2002). Retrieved from
http://history-world.org/islam4.htm
Fuller, G. (n.d.). Islamist Politics in Iraq After Saddam Hussein. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/sr108.pdf
This is a map showing the division in Iraq between the separate sects of the Muslim Faith. Though not all Sunni's and Shiites are at odds against each other, and can coexist peacefully, this is not the case for all the Muslims of the different sects.
http://lostislamichistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/iraq-ethnic-map.gif
http://lostislamichistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/iraq-ethnic-map.gif
This is a graph of Iraqis by ethnicity and religion. Arabs dominate the total population with Kurds and other smaller ethnic groups making up the lower 1/5th of the population. Though Sunni Muslims are the majority in the world, making up around 90% of the total muslim population, in Iraq, they are the minority. Christians and other groups make up only 3% of the population.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iraq_life_popup/img/population/graph_333.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iraq_life_popup/img/population/graph_333.gif
This is the Shrine of Ali in Narjaf, Iraq. It is a pilgrimage site for many Shiites. This picture was taken during the holy time of Ramadan and many Muslims are in the middle of prayer. Muslims are supposed to pray like this 5 times a day either in a mosque or at home.
http://38.media.tumblr.com/07d2f265bca3fbe3f3a615e6277abe43/tumblr_mq31ycFJxm1s5flgxo1_1280.png
http://38.media.tumblr.com/07d2f265bca3fbe3f3a615e6277abe43/tumblr_mq31ycFJxm1s5flgxo1_1280.png
Christians in Iraq only make up a few percent of the population. Since the takeover attempt of Iraq by the Muslim Extremist group ISIS, many Christians in Iraq have been killed which has prompted fellow Christians around the world to demand leadership to intervene and save the Christians who are being exterminated in Iraq.
http://www.aina.org/images/aciraq070508.jpg
http://www.aina.org/images/aciraq070508.jpg
This is a group of fighters from the Muslim extremist group ISIS. They are about to execute several Iraqi soldiers. ISIS is attempting a takeover of Iraq and are killing thousands of Iraqis who are in their way. ISIS have been killing thousands of Iraqis, including Christians in this manner and even have been cutting their heads off and posting the videos online. Something needs to be done to prevent this group from a complete takeover of Iraq.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140615125244-isis-0615-horizontal-gallery.jpeg
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140615125244-isis-0615-horizontal-gallery.jpeg
Lost Culture in Iraq
When thinking about Iraq, it seems evident, I believe, to most people, that the culture in this country is strong, especially compared to how we live. We view Iraq as a dated land where the population, in many ways, lives as they did hundreds or even thousands of years ago. With the exception of some technologies such as computers, cell phones, and vehicles, much of Iraq really is this way. But even though the people can live a basic life without the need of these amenities, this does not mean the cultural diversity of Iraq is strong. Before I began research on this topic, I too believed that Iraq is extremely culturally diverse, but when comparing modern Iraq to its overall history, it is clear that most of the culture in the region is lost.
The culture of Iraq dates back thousands of years. In the area also known as the Fertile Crescent, where modern Iraq is found, early humans invented many technologies that advanced civilization in the region. The creation of agriculture allowed the inhabitants to focus more of their attention on infrastructure, rather than hunting and gathering food to survive. This freedom allowed the ancient Babylonians to be creative which led to the invention of the wheel, the creation of religion, and the building of many structures. As human population grew and the climate changed in the region, making it a harsher place to live, people began to spread out to different regions around the world. Those who moved away took the knowledge of the Mesopotamians to their new lands and over time, those civilizations also began to advance their technologies Stevenson, J. (2000).
What not known by many, is the ancient structures the ancient Mesopotamians that were built in honor of their gods or even giant walls built around a city for protection. The reason why most of this chapter in history is lost to many, is the destruction of ancient structures in Iraq. It is hard to imagine ancient buildings such as the Parthenon or the Coliseum being completely torn down for the benefit of people, but it has happened in Iraq. Of course the Coliseum was partially torn down for its marble to help build the Vatican and walls in Rome, and the Parthenon was partially destroyed as a result of war, but it is hard to imagine the destruction of these historical sites today SCTJM. (2006). The Coliseum & Parthenon, Athens. (2014) .
I watched an interesting Ted Talks presentation by Ihsan Fethi, an Iraqi architect, who spoke on the destruction of many historical sites in Iraq, in favor of the growing population. He estimates that Iraq has lost 80% of its historical structures as a result of the growing population which led to roads and communities being built. If the structures were in the way of development, they were destroyed. This is sad because considering how much older Iraq’s history is to that of Italy or Greece, the country could have been a major tourist destination for those who travel the world to view ancient civilizations. I almost feel as if the people of Iraq would be more proud of where they live, considering its history, and what the ancients in the land have contributed to the advancement of mankind.
During the invasion of United States and coalition forces in 2003, the Iraq Museum in Baghdad was looted and over 15,000 historical items were lost. It is amazing to me how unimportant this was to people when it happened Thurlow, M. (2005). I believe there would be more of an outrage if the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. was ransacked by looters, but because Americans, in general, do not care about the Middle East, this was not a major issue to many. As ruthless as a leader he was, Saddam Hussein actually kept the Iraqi people in check through fear, and the looting of the museum would not have happened under his watch. It was a capital crime to loot under his regime. Even Saddam believed in the preservation of ancient structures and he obviously knew how important ancient sites were to remind the people of the culture and history of the ancient inhabitants. In the 1980s, Saddam ordered the rebuild of the facade of the main staircase of the Ziggurat at Ur in Tell el-Mukayyar, Iraq. This temple was site of what is believed to be the birthplace of the biblical figure Abraham Cosma, F. (2010, July 18).
Now that United States and Coalition forces have departed Iraq, it is time for the country to rebuild itself. Unfortunately, many ancient structures in Iraq are lost forever and the blame cannot lie solely on the war. Early in the 20th century, many of these structures were destroyed, leaving the past few generations in the country without ancient history to observe with their own eyes and be proud of. Fortunately though, the United States has teamed up with Iraqi officials to establish a Cultural Heritage Center in Baghdad as well as the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage, to train Iraqi’s in the preservation of their national treasures. Even money has been funded to the Iraq Museum in Baghdad to preserve this building and its many ancient artifacts Iraq Cultural Heritage Initiative (2013, April 13). We see other ancient sites around the world being preserved because of its important to the history of the people who inhabit the country, but even the history for all of mankind. One example is the preservation and rebuilding of the Parthenon in Greece. The rebuilding of ancient structures is a great reminder to the natives of their country’s history and what their ancestors accomplished. That is what culture is all about to me.
Now that Iraq is beginning to reestablish its cultural diversity, the next step is to gain a level of security in the country. Constant violence still plagues the land which deters tourist from visiting this ancient country and could even risk the steps taken to preserve the history that was once almost lost forever. The Muslim extremist group ISIS has even demolished ancient artifacts including the tomb of the biblical prophet Jonah, in Mosul, because it did not align with their Sunni Muslim beliefs. So not only does Iraq need to train professionals to preserve the artifacts so closely connected the culture of the people, it also has to seek out and destroy those who threaten the history of Mesopotamia.
References:
Cosma, F. (2010, July 18). The Ziggurat at Ur. Retrieved from
http://www.thoughtsinperspective.com/2010/07/ziggurat-at-ur.html
Iraq Cultural Heritage Initiative. (2013, April 13). Retrieved from
http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/iraq-cultural-heritage-initiative
Thurlow, M. (2005). Protecting Cultural Property in Iraq. Retrieved from
http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/LawJournals/thurlow.pdf
SCTJM. (2006). The Coliseum. Retrieved from
http://www.piercedhearts.org/treasures/holy_sites/coliseum.htm
Parthenon, Athens. (2014). Retrieved from
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-parthenon
Stevenson, J. (2000). Early Mesopotamia. Retrieved from
http://Www.Angelfire.Com/Nt/Theology/04meso.Html
The culture of Iraq dates back thousands of years. In the area also known as the Fertile Crescent, where modern Iraq is found, early humans invented many technologies that advanced civilization in the region. The creation of agriculture allowed the inhabitants to focus more of their attention on infrastructure, rather than hunting and gathering food to survive. This freedom allowed the ancient Babylonians to be creative which led to the invention of the wheel, the creation of religion, and the building of many structures. As human population grew and the climate changed in the region, making it a harsher place to live, people began to spread out to different regions around the world. Those who moved away took the knowledge of the Mesopotamians to their new lands and over time, those civilizations also began to advance their technologies Stevenson, J. (2000).
What not known by many, is the ancient structures the ancient Mesopotamians that were built in honor of their gods or even giant walls built around a city for protection. The reason why most of this chapter in history is lost to many, is the destruction of ancient structures in Iraq. It is hard to imagine ancient buildings such as the Parthenon or the Coliseum being completely torn down for the benefit of people, but it has happened in Iraq. Of course the Coliseum was partially torn down for its marble to help build the Vatican and walls in Rome, and the Parthenon was partially destroyed as a result of war, but it is hard to imagine the destruction of these historical sites today SCTJM. (2006). The Coliseum & Parthenon, Athens. (2014) .
I watched an interesting Ted Talks presentation by Ihsan Fethi, an Iraqi architect, who spoke on the destruction of many historical sites in Iraq, in favor of the growing population. He estimates that Iraq has lost 80% of its historical structures as a result of the growing population which led to roads and communities being built. If the structures were in the way of development, they were destroyed. This is sad because considering how much older Iraq’s history is to that of Italy or Greece, the country could have been a major tourist destination for those who travel the world to view ancient civilizations. I almost feel as if the people of Iraq would be more proud of where they live, considering its history, and what the ancients in the land have contributed to the advancement of mankind.
During the invasion of United States and coalition forces in 2003, the Iraq Museum in Baghdad was looted and over 15,000 historical items were lost. It is amazing to me how unimportant this was to people when it happened Thurlow, M. (2005). I believe there would be more of an outrage if the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. was ransacked by looters, but because Americans, in general, do not care about the Middle East, this was not a major issue to many. As ruthless as a leader he was, Saddam Hussein actually kept the Iraqi people in check through fear, and the looting of the museum would not have happened under his watch. It was a capital crime to loot under his regime. Even Saddam believed in the preservation of ancient structures and he obviously knew how important ancient sites were to remind the people of the culture and history of the ancient inhabitants. In the 1980s, Saddam ordered the rebuild of the facade of the main staircase of the Ziggurat at Ur in Tell el-Mukayyar, Iraq. This temple was site of what is believed to be the birthplace of the biblical figure Abraham Cosma, F. (2010, July 18).
Now that United States and Coalition forces have departed Iraq, it is time for the country to rebuild itself. Unfortunately, many ancient structures in Iraq are lost forever and the blame cannot lie solely on the war. Early in the 20th century, many of these structures were destroyed, leaving the past few generations in the country without ancient history to observe with their own eyes and be proud of. Fortunately though, the United States has teamed up with Iraqi officials to establish a Cultural Heritage Center in Baghdad as well as the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage, to train Iraqi’s in the preservation of their national treasures. Even money has been funded to the Iraq Museum in Baghdad to preserve this building and its many ancient artifacts Iraq Cultural Heritage Initiative (2013, April 13). We see other ancient sites around the world being preserved because of its important to the history of the people who inhabit the country, but even the history for all of mankind. One example is the preservation and rebuilding of the Parthenon in Greece. The rebuilding of ancient structures is a great reminder to the natives of their country’s history and what their ancestors accomplished. That is what culture is all about to me.
Now that Iraq is beginning to reestablish its cultural diversity, the next step is to gain a level of security in the country. Constant violence still plagues the land which deters tourist from visiting this ancient country and could even risk the steps taken to preserve the history that was once almost lost forever. The Muslim extremist group ISIS has even demolished ancient artifacts including the tomb of the biblical prophet Jonah, in Mosul, because it did not align with their Sunni Muslim beliefs. So not only does Iraq need to train professionals to preserve the artifacts so closely connected the culture of the people, it also has to seek out and destroy those who threaten the history of Mesopotamia.
References:
Cosma, F. (2010, July 18). The Ziggurat at Ur. Retrieved from
http://www.thoughtsinperspective.com/2010/07/ziggurat-at-ur.html
Iraq Cultural Heritage Initiative. (2013, April 13). Retrieved from
http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/iraq-cultural-heritage-initiative
Thurlow, M. (2005). Protecting Cultural Property in Iraq. Retrieved from
http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/LawJournals/thurlow.pdf
SCTJM. (2006). The Coliseum. Retrieved from
http://www.piercedhearts.org/treasures/holy_sites/coliseum.htm
Parthenon, Athens. (2014). Retrieved from
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-parthenon
Stevenson, J. (2000). Early Mesopotamia. Retrieved from
http://Www.Angelfire.Com/Nt/Theology/04meso.Html
Iraqi students preserving an ancient rug as part of the ongoing effort to preserve ancient artifacts in the region. The United States has even contributed money to Iraq to educate students on preservation techniques.
http://www.udel.edu/globalmagazine/issue/vol2_no1/images/article_slideshows/iraq_partnership/img_3285.jpg
http://www.udel.edu/globalmagazine/issue/vol2_no1/images/article_slideshows/iraq_partnership/img_3285.jpg
This is the Ziggurat at Ur in Tell el-Mukayyar, Iraq. This is the structure Saddam ordered parts to be reconstructed. This temple has sustained damage after US and coalition forces invaded Iraq. The structure has suffered bullet and shrapnel holes.
http://nimg.sulekha.com/others/original700/iraq-us-army-2009-10-12-5-10-1.jpg
http://nimg.sulekha.com/others/original700/iraq-us-army-2009-10-12-5-10-1.jpg
This is some of the aftermath of the looting at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad in 2003. Some 15,000 artifacts were stolen but through international efforts, 4,000 items were returned and the museum later reopened.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/files/images/090224_baghdad2.jpg
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/files/images/090224_baghdad2.jpg
Iraqi Food
Below are three food items I regularly saw the locals consuming as part of their daily meals. It took me quite some time before I was comfortable eating any of their food, but I was shocked at how good it was. It was fresh, nothing processed, and I could almost feel the love that was put into making the food. Although eating their cuisine was rare for us while I was deployed, it was always a treat to eat what the Iraqi's did. It almost brought me closer to them and I shared a common interest with the locals; the love for good homemade food.
Falafels, which is common throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as the Middle East, are a popular food item. It is a vegetarian dish made with ground and fried chickpeas. It is typically served in a pita-style bread with lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables, depending on the availability. No where in the United States have I eaten a falafel that tasted as good as it did in Iraq.
http://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140123_994109.xml-20140116_EatRun_01.jpg
http://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140123_994109.xml-20140116_EatRun_01.jpg
This is a common dinner platter served to a large group for dinner. We were often brought this type of dish by soldiers of the Iraqi Army we occupied a compound with. The platter consist mainly of rice and either, lamb, goat, chicken, or beef. Sometimes assorted vegetables were included in the platter such as olives and tomatoes. Hobus is always served with this dish.
http://wemeantwell.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/iraqi_food-Large.jpg
http://wemeantwell.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/iraqi_food-Large.jpg
Iraqi chai tea is the most popular drink in the country. Chai is often consumed before and after a meal and also during social gatherings. When our platoon would meet with local sheiks, we were often brought chai as a sign of good gesture.
http://www.immigrantconnect.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/chai_tea.jpg
http://www.immigrantconnect.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/chai_tea.jpg
Kebab Recipe
Perhaps one of the most popular food items in Iraq are the kebabs. Made with either goat, lamb, chicken, or beef, kebabs are a favorite among Iraqi's. Many Iraqi's eat kebabs plain, but I enjoyed mine inside of Iraqi flatbread, called many different names, but known to me as hobus. I compare hobus to a thick tortilla and it is the traditional bread of the people in Iraq. It is common for a mix of vegetables to be included with the kebabs, but I only had it prepared with lettuce and tomato. Below is a kebab recipe. Below the recipe is a picture of a plate of kebabs and a picture of the Iraqi flat bread Hobus
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground meat (beef, lamb or a mixture of both)
- 1 large onion
- 2 oz bread, soaked in water
- 4 tbsp. ground summac
- 1 tsp. salt
- Mince the onion in a food processor.
- Soak the bread in water. When softened, squeeze out excess water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, summac, salt, minced onions and soaked bread and mix by hand until well incorporated.
- Take 4 oz portions of the meat mixture and shape on a skewer.
- Cook on a grill or in a preheated 350F oven for one hour or until done, turning the kebabs half way through cooking.
Religion and Food
One of the obvious food related topics when it comes to Islam, is that Muslims are not allowed to eat pork. The pig is considered to be an impure animal and the Quran forbids Muslims to eat this meat. Another well known aspect of the Muslim religion is Ramadan, which takes place mostly during July. Ramadan is a holy time for Muslims, taking place in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting throughout the month is seen as a way to purify the soul. During Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Once the sun is down, the streets are alive and many come out to celebrate throughout the night. Traditionally, families have a large feast once the daytime fasting is concluded. Below is a picture of a traditional family setting of a feast during Ramadan.
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ccvhWSSDbxNILC_J1KZkcw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQyMTtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz03NDk-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/7d979e8b73797f1c5a0f6a7067003a61.jpg
Where Does Iraq Get its Food?
Much of the food consumed by the Iraqi's is locally grown. Most of the population lives away from the capital city of Baghdad and they rely on the crops and animals in the area to provide their food needs. Rice and wheat are a large part of the Iraqi diet and Iraq is one of the leaders of rice and wheat imports in the world. The soil and climate throughout most of the country impedes them from being self sustained for these important food sources. Iraq does produce as much as 180,000 tons of rice annually, but 1.4 million tons is needed to provide for its people. Much of the rice is imported from the United States, Vietnam, and Uruguay. Much of Iraq's fruit and vegetable imports come from neighboring Turkey, Syria, and Iran. Livestock is raised locally in most areas of the country which provides the protein needed in their diet.