Latest news with #AmmarAli
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- General
- Shafaq News
+500 artifacts stalled: Al-Anbar Museum waits security clearance
Shafaq News – Al-Anbar The reopening of the al-Anbar Cultural Museum remains on hold as authorities await security clearance to transfer more than 500 archaeological artifacts from Baghdad, an official informed Shafaq News. Located in Ramadi, the museum—founded in 1981—was heavily damaged during earlier military operations. It has since undergone full restoration by the provincial government, including new display cases, surveillance systems, fire safety equipment, and environmental controls. Speaking to Shafaq News, Ammar Ali, Director of Antiquities in al-Anbar, confirmed that the Ministry of Culture approved the artifacts' return. 'They've been catalogued and prepared for transport. Everything on our side is complete—we are simply waiting for the green light,' he explained. Meanwhile, researchers and historians consider the museum's reopening essential to reviving the province's cultural identity. Omar al-Rawi, a historian specializing in Iraqi heritage, described al-Anbar as rich in archaeological heritage, spanning Assyrian, Babylonian, Abbasid, and Ottoman eras. He also warned that keeping the artifacts in Baghdad risks deterioration and detachment from their original context. 'Keeping these pieces outside the province limits public access—especially for the younger generation, which has never seen its own material history up close.' In Ramadi, civil activist Mohammed Fahd al-Eisawi described the museum's reopening as essential for restoring social cohesion, calling it 'not optional—but necessary.' He further envisioned it as a cultural and educational hub that could help build a counter-narrative to the province's recent wartime legacy.
Shafaq News
22-07-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Centuries-old al-Farouq Minaret in Al-Anbar at risk of collapse
Shafaq News – Al-Anbar The historic al-Farouq Minaret in the city of Hit is facing imminent collapse due to severe structural damage, local antiquities officials warned on Monday, citing decades of neglect and lack of scientific restoration. Al-Anbar's Director of Antiquities, Ammar Ali, told Shafaq News that the minaret—believed to predate the Islamic conquests—is suffering from widespread cracks, foundational tilt, and long-standing moisture damage, placing it at serious risk. "The last maintenance effort dates back to 1945 and was carried out by residents using unscientific methods," he said. Originally used as a beacon to guide trade caravans between the Levant and Mesopotamia, the structure was later annexed to a mosque during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab and repurposed as a minaret. Ali emphasized that sewage works and accumulated humidity have further deteriorated the minaret's structure, despite its elevated location. He noted that while the State Board of Antiquities has officially requested renovation efforts, the site legally falls under the ownership of the Sunni Endowment Office according to Law No. 55 of 2002, requiring the office to handle restoration under the board's supervision. "Despite repeated promises from the Endowment to fund restoration, no concrete steps have been taken," Ali said. "We are ready to provide full technical oversight, but the ongoing delay in allocating funds remains the main obstacle." 'This monument, which has stood for centuries, now risks collapsing at any moment.' Local activist Ali Ahmed echoed the frustration, accusing relevant institutions of negligence. 'The people of Hit are deeply disappointed. This minaret is part of the city's identity, and despite repeated warnings and official memos, there has been no visible effort to save it,' he told Shafaq News. Ahmed called for an emergency rescue plan led by qualified engineering and heritage experts, urging both the central government and the Sunni Endowment to act before it is too late. The al-Farouq Minaret is one of Al-Anbar's most iconic archaeological landmarks. Dating back to the pre-Islamic era, it functioned as a signal tower for desert caravans before becoming a religious site. It has withstood the test of time, but now stands precariously without modern conservation.
Shafaq News
04-07-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Ancient rites revealed: Sasanian burial chambers found in Iraq's al-Anbar
Shafaq News - Al-Anbar On Friday, archaeologists confirmed that a site long rumored to be a 'sunken kingdom' on Anah Island in Iraq's al-Anbar province is, in fact, a collection of Sasanian-era burial chambers. Director of Anbar Antiquities Ammar Ali stated that the rock-cut structures, carved into limestone cliffs along the Euphrates, were used for funerals during the 2nd century BCE and early CE periods. The dead were positioned seated and facing the sun, consistent with Zoroastrian customs of the time. Ali dismissed local legends claiming the area was once a kingdom, prison, or ruled by a mysterious queen. 'There is no historical or archaeological basis for these stories." He explained that similar grave designs appear in other regional sites such as the Maghawir Majoul caves, indicating a widespread burial method during the Sasanian period. The site, known informally as Talbas, was likely a minor outpost used during conflict or isolation, not a major city. The burial cavities are located beyond the old settlement's boundaries. Much of the structure has deteriorated due to rising water levels and limestone erosion, erasing significant portions and leaving behind only a few identifiable segments.
Shafaq News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Geimer shortage shadows over Eid Al-Adha morning in Diyala
Shafaq News/ Amid Eid al-Adha prayers and festive greetings in Diyala's streets, families upheld a cherished tradition of serving Geimer al-Arab for breakfast. This year, however, the beloved treat was hard to find. By early morning, shops across the province reported a complete sell-out of Geimer, driven by surging demand and a limited supply, pushing prices to record highs. The cost of one kilogram soared to 40,000 Iraqi dinars, double the typical price range of 15,000 to 20,000 dinars on regular days. In Baqubah's Al-Muallimeen neighborhood, local shop owner Ammar Ali described the unusual pace of sales. All available stock had been reserved or sold out by 8 a.m., with customers placing advance orders the previous night. Some buyers requested large quantities, enough for extended family gatherings and guests. The spike in prices reflects not only the seasonal demand but also a broader issue: a decline in traditional production. Geimer, typically made through labor-intensive, manual methods in rural areas, faces growing constraints. Producers in surrounding villages have scaled back due to drought conditions and a lack of government support for the livestock sector. With most urban markets relying on these rural suppliers, the supply chain has struggled to meet the Eid rush. "Geimer production can't keep up without formal, regulated facilities to fill the gap," Ali noted. In another part of Baqubah, near Al-Quds intersection, resident Mohammed Jameel Abu Ghaith recounted a taxing morning. After visiting six shops without success, he eventually found just a quarter-kilogram of Geimer in the Khuraisan area, paying 10,000 dinars for it. Abu Ghaith urged authorities to invest in rural communities where buffalo herding and Geimer production are inherited livelihoods, warning that dwindling numbers of producers in areas like Baqubah's outskirts, Jalawla, and Al-Khalis could lead to the disappearance of a cherished culinary staple from Diyala's Eid traditions.
