From women’s accessories inspired by the beauty and elements found in timeless antiques to glazed ceramics and rugs featuring bright vibrant colours, entrepreneur Noor Hashim wants her creations to offer Iraqis a connection to the country's fading cultural heritage.
“We want to raise awareness among Iraqis about their civilisation and culture through producing products linked to the Iraqi heritage and also educate them on how to preserve this heritage,” Ms Hashim, the founder of House of Crafts in Iraq's capital Baghdad, told The National.
“Our mission is to focus on the positive side of Iraq with all details in clothing, food and traditional handicraft products that people need to understand in order to know who we are,” Ms Hashim, 32, said.
Bringing the country’s traditional handicrafts to life after decades of war, lack of government funds and economic hardships has become a focus for some young Iraqis. The current iterations of Iraqi heritage art have roots in ancient Mesopotamian art, from between the 1st century BC and 3rd century BC.
Traditional craftsmen and women still exist, but are facing a new battle; fighting mass-produced, cheap imports from Iran, Turkey, India and China which have eroded demand for their goods.
Ms Hashim is part of Iraq’s burgeoning entrepreneurial culture that has brought hope of changing the mentality of a society sees the public sector as the only guaranteed place for incentives and pensions.
Awash with petrodollars since the discovery of oil during the first quarter of last century, Iraqi governments failed to encourage private sector initiatives.
Despite young people making up about 60 per cent of Iraq’s nearly 40 million population, unemployment is still high, with the World Bank estimating it at 13.74 per cent in 2020.
Almost 17 per cent of the economically active population is underemployed, while the country has the lowest labour force participation rates in the world in the region at 48.7 per cent, World Bank data shows.
Despite little government support, the revival of craftsmanship is a gamble Ms Hashim is willing to take.
Back in 2016, the Political Science College graduate opened Hili gift shop at a Baghdad mall after failing to secure a job at the Foreign Ministry, teaming up with her sister and a friend.
“It was a simple idea on how we can do something related to the Iraqi heritage that can be offered as a souvenir. Then, most of the people encouraged us and many friends volunteered to help us,” she said.
“Most countries take care of their heritage and most people are willing to have a connection between past and present,” she said.
They started with producing women’s accessories inspired by the Sumerian jewellery and Babylonian civilisation, using semi-precious stones such as Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Agate, Amethyst, Quartz and Amber.
Most of the collection is influenced by the jewellery of Pu-abi, a Sumerian lady presumed to be a queen in Ur in southern Iraq around 2,600BC, found in the Royal Cemetery of Ur in southern Iraq.
Ur royal tombs were discovered by British archaeologist Sir Charles Leonard Woolley during 1920s and most of the artefacts are now displayed at the British Museum, the University of Pennsylvania Museum and Iraqi National Museum.
The shelves at Hili are stacked with traditional wares that were once in every Iraqi house and used in daily life, such as wicker products, flat-woven kilims (a type of traditional weaving often used to make rugs) and pottery as well as amber rice that is grown in southern Iraq and famous for its unique aroma and taste.
The latest addition is a collection of folklore stories for children. Five years on from opening, Hili now employs around 40 women, many of them are from lower-income families or widows.
As the brand's presence grows in Iraq and internationally, Ms Hashim is now working on registering the trademark Hili, which means love or cordiality in Sumerian, and eying expansion abroad.
Despite success in reviving Iraq's heritage, entrepreneurs say they are facing challenges.
For Ali Al Qamousi, partner at Art & Touch, there is still long way to go before fully reviving this industry in Iraq.
“Any industry needs conditions to succeed,” Mr Al Qamousi told The National. “It needs markets, an environment that supports private sector investment, industrial cities, power, tax exemption and loans,” he added.
The flagship product of his company are modern takes on traditional Iraqi furniture like sofas and tables. He gives them Iraqi names as a way to create an emotional connection with the potential buyers.
Mr Al Qamousi says his company accepts products from local craftsmen and women that meet the standards to promote “Made in Iraq” label. In addition to furniture, a variety of products as ceramics, figures, Crochet toys and decorations are also on display.
One of the main challenges is to convince the customers of paying extra whereas the market is flooded with cheap imports or even locally made with low quality.
“We are studying how to lower the costs but at the same time we want to offer something maintaining the best quality,” he added.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
65
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Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
The five pillars of Islam
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
