Iraq
Background
Modern Iraq has some of the worlds richest cultural and architectural heritage, however from 1980 onwards, Iraq has lived through successive wars and conflicts in addition to unprecedented rising rates of intra-state violence.
The loss of Iraq’s cultural heritage over the last four decades of conflict has resulted from direct destruction as collateral damage of warfare; loss of the legal framework for cultural resource management leading to neglect and looting; as well as the targetted destruction of cultural architectural and archaeological sites by groups such as ISIS in what UNESCO has described as “Cultural Cleansing”. The latter being an attempt to undermine the shared sense of identity that has long united Iraqis despite their different religious, social, and cultural backgrounds.
The result of four decades of conflict in Iraq has been the destruction of both the tangible and intangible aspects of Iraq’s cultural heritage and addressing this loss of shared identity poses a critical challenge to the sustainable peace and prosperity for the future of Iraq and the wider region.
"Archaeological Looting and Destruction of Nineveh, Iraq by ISIS" by UNESCO licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Seminars
Saving Koya Old town Heritage: Students and Professionals
Dr. Sahar Basil M Al Qaisi
The Role of the Architectural Students in Protect, Commemorate, and Preserve Heritage
Dr. Ula Abd Ali Khalel Merie
Principles and Methods of the Heritage Documentation
Professor Karel Nováček
Architecture Student’s Contributions to Preparing a National Archive for the Heritage Buildings in Iraq
Dr. Shatha A. Hasan
Archaeological Conservation Programs at the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage
Dr. Abdullah Khorshid
How to Raise Awareness among Students of Architecture to pay attention to Urban Heritage: Case study of the House of Memories in Al Muthann
Dr. Ahmed Abdul Aali Kbah
Virtual Library of Architectural Heritage: Facade elements of Mosul traditional houses as a case study.
Dr. Emad Hani Ismaeel Al Allaf
The Role of Local Communities in Enhancement and Protection of Cultural Heritage
Dr. Ali Naji Attiyah
The Threatened Culture in the Holy City of Karbala
Dr. Haider Naji Atiyah
Final Closing Session – Outcomes Discussions – Action plan for the next steps towards preserving our cultural and architectural heritage and raise awareness among youth and locals
Dr. Sabeeh Lafta Farhan
Built Heritage Preservation: Procedures and Legislations
Dr. Mahmood Khayat
Raising the Public Awareness toward Heritage Loss: Baghdad Downtown Experience
Dr. Mohammed Al Hasani
The Renewal of the Urban Fabric in the Sustainability of City Centers: The Case Study Qishleh Area
Ms. Samaa Jumaa AL Aqbi
Managing Challenges to Local Culture: Preserving Cultural Heritage in the City of Basra
Dr. Hamed H. Samir
Training Workshops
Heritage Documentation Using Advanced Technology
Dr. Abdullah Khorshid
Youth Workshop 2
Ms. Shahad Abdul Abbas
Heritage Documentation Challenges Between Traditional and advanced Methods: Koya Students Experience
Dr. Sahar Basil M Al Qaisi
Youth Workshop 3
Ms. Enas Ali
Youth Workshop 1
Mr. Ali Taha
Outputs showcase
Drone footage
Photo Exhibition
Project Partner
Dr. Sabeeh Lafta Farhan is an Assistant Professor and the Vice-Chancellor of Wasit University, Iraq. His major research focus is on the protection of Cultural Heritage in Iraq. His work advocates for preservation of Iraq’s extensive archaeological sites and historic cities, and revives and promotes the tangible and intangible heritage of Iraq damaged or lost during conflict.
Dr Sabeeh Lafta Farhan
Wasit University, Iraq
Research Assistant
Dr. Venus Suleiman Akef is an architect at the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq. Her research explores the role of architecture in the process of peacebuilding within post-conflict societies and has presented the conclusions of her research at the General Assembly of the United Nations. She currently serves as the Editor of the Preservation Section for the Iraqi Journal of Architectural Engineering and Planning.
Dr Venus Suleiman Akef
University of Technology, Iraq
Participants
Rana Mohammad Abdullah
Mustafa Hisham Assi
Ahmed Mahdi Hameed
Nada Khalil Ibrahim
Ahmed Hussein Khalaf
Muataz Mohammed Rashid
Bassma Nabeel Saleh
Tiba Mohammed Ahmed
Mohammed Qais Falh
Rwaida Basim Hameed
Moheamen Basim Ibrahim
Ghaith Laith Mahmood
Amenah Abdullah Saadoon
Raghad Ayyed Salman
Enas Ali
Alaq Shakir Habeeb
Shahad Abdul Abbas Hammoodi
Zahraa Amjad Jabbar
Raneen Wisam Marqus
Mohammed Anmar Saeed
Qasim Rayyis Shraida
Acknowledgements
Dr. Emad Hani Ismaeel Al-Allaf
Dr. Ali Naji Attiyah
Dr. Ahmed Abdul Aali Kbah
Dr. Ula Abd Ali Khalel Merie
Dr. Hamed H. Samir
Ms. Samaa Jumaa AL-Aqbi
Dr. Shatha A. Hasan
Dr. Mahmood Khayat
Professor Karel Nováček
Mr. Ali Taha
Dr. Haider Naji Atiyah
Dr. Mohammed AL-Hasani
Dr. Abdullah Khorshid
Dr. Sahar Basil M Al Qaisi