Latest news with #Akkadian
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- General
- Shafaq News
Erbil Citadel shines again with weekly public access
Shafaq News/ Erbil's historic citadel reopened to the public for one day a week as its large-scale restoration project approaches completion. The Head of the Citadel Rehabilitation Commission, Falah Hassan told Shafaq News that 1,200 cubic meters of the citadel's flooring have been paved over the past six months, along with the rehabilitation of the main street connecting the Ahmadia Gate to the Grand Bazaar Gate. The restoration of Erbil Citadel is entering its final phase, with technical issues set to be resolved within days, and work on the electrical, sewage, bathhouse, and mosque nearing completion, Hassan said, confirming that the site is now illuminated and open weekly for public visits while restoration continues in other areas. He further pointed out that the management of the UNESCO World Heritage landmarks was officially transferred from Erbil's provincial authority to the Kurdistan Regional Government's Cabinet in recent months. The move streamlines decision-making and allows requests to be submitted directly to the Council of Ministers. Erbil Citadel was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2014 for its unique architectural significance. Historical records trace its origins through multiple civilizations, including the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Greek, Islamic, and Ottoman eras. The site includes three main neighborhoods, traditional homes, mosques, Sufi lodges, and public baths. Its distinctive circular wall is among its most prominent features, known for its durability and design.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Blocked buster: Deepanjana Pal on the tussle over where to release Bhool Chuk Maaf
Ancient empires like Akkadian, Egyptian, and Chinese sought global unity through military conquest, bureaucracy, and philosophical ideals of harmony. These early attempts at world order laid groundwork for modern international cooperation, driven by power, prosperity, and shared governance.
Shafaq News
09-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Erbil lights up its oldest landmark
Shafaq News/ Erbil's ancient citadel lit up Thursday night, signaling a fresh chapter in the restoration of one of the region's most iconic historic sites. According to the High Commission for the Revitalization of Erbil Citadel, the restoration project is entering a new phase that will see families return to live within its ancient walls—part of a broader master plan to bring the site back to life. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, the citadel stands as a defining cultural landmark in the Kurdistan Region, celebrated for its unique architectural character. Historical records chart the citadel's legacy across millennia, spanning the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Hellenistic, Islamic, and Ottoman eras. The fortress comprises three main districts and features an array of historic buildings, including diwans, traditional houses, mosques, Sufi lodges, and old-style public baths. Its circular outer wall—renowned for both its strength and elegant design—remains a signature element of the site. Project leaders aim to turn the citadel into a thriving hub of culture and tourism, highlighting Erbil's rich heritage and drawing visitors from across Iraq and beyond.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai wants to extinguish the charcoal tandoor
Suhel Ahmed, the owner of Tower Tandoori, reckons he might have the last charcoal tandoor in London. The oven, traditionally cylindrical and made out of clay, has been imparting a smoky flavour to naans, chicken and lamb chops at least since his grandfather opened the restaurant in 1978. Mr Ahmed estimates that the tandoor had already been running hot for a couple of decades under previous owners, meaning the oven would be only marginally younger than an independent India. Soon charcoal-fired tandoors may also be hard to find in Mumbai, India's commercial capital. The local government has issued notices to scores of restaurants, food stalls and bakeries that they must switch to greener alternatives, such as gas-fired or electric ovens, to help reduce air pollution. Eateries have until July 8th to comply with the order. (Mumbai's authorities are following the lead of their peers in Delhi, who curbed the use of charcoal tandoors a few years ago.) Mumbaikars, as residents of the city are known, fret their kebabs and naans will lose the distinctive—not to mention delicious—barbecue char. Restaurateurs say they are being unfairly blamed for air-quality problems, as construction and gridlocked traffic contribute to smog, too. The tandoor has a long and tasty history. But, like much in modern India, its origins are disputed. Clay ovens used for baking bread are mentioned in 'The Epic of Gilgamesh', perhaps the oldest recorded story, and the term can be traced back to the Akkadian words for 'fire' and 'mud'. Tandoors are still used across Asia. In Armenia the word is tonir; in Uzbekistan, tandir; in Iran, tanour. The modern variant seems to have made its way to India via the Mughals, a Central Asian Muslim dynasty that ruled much of northern India and present-day Pakistan before the British. Yet others claim an indigenous origin for tandoori dishes, finding evidence that the ancient Harappan civilisation (which spanned present-day Punjab) baked chickens in clay ovens. Either way, the tandoor became a mainstay of Punjabi cooking and tandoori chicken became a staple dish. A trio of Punjabi chefs pioneered the recipe, marinating the chicken in a mixture of yoghurt and spices before grilling it. As refugees, fleeing the horrors that followed the bloody partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the chefs brought the technique to Delhi, where it became a favourite of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The dish spread all over the world with Indian emigrants, including Mr Ahmed's grandfather. It even became a symbol of the former imperial metropolis: tandoori chicken was adapted into chicken tikka masala, perhaps Britain's favourite curry, by using boneless meat and adding tomato sauce. The charcoal tandoor is decreasing in popularity not just because it is dirty, but because it is expensive—thanks to the large, high-quality chunks of charcoal required—and because of the skill needed to handle the heat. (The oven 'has a mind of its own,' Mr Ahmed says.) Gas tandoors may be more efficient, but their flavour is less robust. Discerning eaters will hope that centuries of culinary history do not go up in smoke.
Shafaq News
28-04-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Visit Kurdistan: Journey through history and heritage in the Region's museums
Shafaq News/ From ancient artifacts to cultural textiles and modern exhibits of memory and survival, the museums of the Kurdistan Region offer a diverse window into the past and present of a people shaped by resilience, artistry, and deep-rooted tradition. Scattered across Erbil, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok, these institutions are as varied as the history they preserve. Slemani Museum Situated in central Al-Sulaymaniyah and established in 1961, Slemani (Al-Sulaymaniyah) Museum is the largest in the Kurdistan Region and the second-largest in Iraq. It houses over 90,000 artifacts that span thousands of years of Mesopotamian and Kurdish history. Highlights include Assyrian wall reliefs from Nimrud, Sumerian and Akkadian objects, and Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh. The museum also features the Paikuli Gallery with Sassanian inscriptions and a dedicated children's section designed to engage younger audiences. Zakho Historical and Heritage Museum Recently inaugurated in Zakho's historic fortress, the museum celebrates the city's diverse cultural past with over 700 rare items, including traditional clothing, manuscripts, and antique tools, serving as a local center of identity and memory to educate future generations about Zakho's rich ethnic and religious heritage. Kurdish Textile Museum Located inside the historic Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Textile Museum, established in 2004, preserves traditional weaving practices and showcases the artistry of Kurdish rugs, kilims, and costumes. Looms, spinning tools, and cultural artifacts accompany displays of vibrant textiles that once adorned Kurdish homes, with the museum serving as both an educational hub and a cultural ambassador. Syriac Heritage Museum Established in 2009 in Erbil's Ankawa neighborhood, the Heritage Museum pays tribute to the Region's rich Christian heritage, displaying ancient manuscripts, church artifacts, and models of traditional Assyrian and Chaldean villages while capturing the continuity and complexity of one of Iraq's oldest communities. Erbil Civilization Museum Focusing on the broader Mesopotamian timeline, the Civilization Museum showcases artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian periods, with pottery, statuary, cuneiform tablets, and tools shedding light on the deep historical layers of the Erbil plain. Kurd's Heritage Museum Located on Mawlawi Street in Al-Sulaymaniyah, this museum offers a close-up look at daily life in Kurdish history. From traditional dress and domestic tools to photographs and handwritten documents, the exhibits highlight the lived experiences of Kurdish families over generations. Amna Suraka (Red Security) Museum Situated in Al-Sulaymaniyah, Amna Suraka is housed in the former Ba'athist intelligence headquarters. It is a powerful memorial to the Kurdish victims of Saddam Hussein's regime. The site preserves prison cells, torture rooms, and bullet-riddled walls, while the "Hall of Mirrors" uses shards of glass to commemorate each fallen soul in the Anfal campaign. It is one of the most visited—and sobering—museums in the Region. Duhok Archaeological Museum Located within the University of Duhok, the Archaeological Museum offers a compact but meaningful exploration of the Region's prehistoric and ancient civilizations. The museum showcases Neolithic tools, Assyrian and Hurrian artifacts, and cultural relics from the Halaf and Ubaid periods. It also plays an academic role in supporting archaeological research and student education in the province. Erbil Stones and Gems Museum This private museum showcases minerals, gemstones, and fossils from Iraq and around the world. Its curated displays reflect both natural beauty and scientific curiosity. Erbil Currency Museum Launched in April 2024, the Currency Museum presents a comprehensive display of Iraqi dinars and coins spanning 94 years. The collection includes rare banknotes from different political eras and currencies issued under the monarchy, the Ba'athist regime, and the post-2003 period. The museum provides an economic lens through which to view the country's shifting history. Illusion Museum Erbil The Illusion Museum is one of the Region's newer attractions. It features interactive exhibits that challenge perception and entertain visitors of all ages. From rotating rooms to optical puzzles, it brings a lighthearted twist to the museum experience. Kurdistan Museum Currently under construction near the Erbil Citadel, the Kurdistan Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, will be the first major museum dedicated to Kurdish history and identity. It will feature multimedia exhibits, archival spaces, and a memorial garden to honor victims of past atrocities, and is expected to become a cornerstone of Kurdish cultural preservation and education. Whether you're tracing ancient civilizations, admiring woven masterpieces, or honoring the memory of a people who endured, the museums of the Kurdistan Region invite you on a journey through time, identity, and unshakable cultural pride.
