A proposal to convert Iraq's presidential palaces into public museums is being proposed by the country’s antiquities authority to Baghdad’s central government.
More than 100 opulent palaces and villas built for former dictator Saddam Hussein are scattered across the country, some are in use but many lie in ruins, as does much of the war-torn country.
The majority of Hussein’s palaces were looted during the chaos of the US-led invasion in 2003, when thieves scavenged all they could carry, even ripping electric cables out of walls.
Baghdad’s famous Iraqi museum was also looted and ransacked in the chaos that followed the invasion.
About a third of about 15,000 artefacts that were looted at the time have been recovered.
"The authority has submitted requests to convert palaces into museums and is awaiting approvals, especially that there are many palaces in the capital, Baghdad, that can be rehabilitated to become museums for the general citizens," said Laith Majid Hussein, the head of the authority for antiquities and heritage.
Mr Hussein said the general public was “eager to visit museums and the Iraqi museum had many school trips, which included thousands of students, citizens and tourists”.
The Iraqi official said the museum in Baghdad is struggling to preserve artefacts and is overcrowded with the archaeological collection it has and can “no longer accommodate most of them”.
“We hope that action will be taken on this issue, especially that the government of Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi is very supportive of the idea of establishing a large and new Iraqi museum,” he said.
Last month, treasures dating back 2,500 years to the neo-Assyrian empire alongside 9th-Century Islamic antiquities went back on display in the Iraqi Museum, including two winged bulls from the Nimrud site in the palace of Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC).
The Iraq Museum was closed three years ago "because of the demonstrations and for security reasons", Mr Hussein said.
Since 2003, only a handful of the palatial residences have been used, often as military bases or public administrations, very rarely as museums.
Large-scale destruction of ancient sites, looting of antiquities and trafficking increased after ISIS’s takeover of large areas of Iraq between 2014 and 2017.
In the past year, Iraq has recovered more than 18,000 artefacts, the vast majority of them from the United States.
In December, Iraqi authorities held a ceremony to celebrate the return of the prized Gilgamesh tablet, which is more than 3,500 years old.
“Although the Iraqi museum is the largest in the country, we need to have another to be able to display the thousands of artefacts that have been found, or a large number of museums across the country,” Mr Hussein said.
He said it is vital that every governorate in Iraq has a museum to display the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Mr Hussein pointed out that the museum in the southern city of Basra, which is in one of the presidential palaces, has become a pivotal point of attraction.
“We are also going to open soon the Nasiriyah Museum and the Maysan Museum. We are in the final stages of placing the collectibles, and we are rehabilitating the presidential palace in Babylon,” he said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
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Ordinary People by Diana Evans
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Arrogate's winning run
1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016
2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016
4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016
5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016
6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017
7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
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