Latest news with #Baghdadi
Iraqi News
18-05-2025
- Iraqi News
Historic 'Beit Al-Tuhafiyat' palace in Baghdad to open as unique antiques & arts destination
Baghdad ( – A 95-year-old historic Baghdadi palace, located just meters from Abu Nuwas Street, is preparing to welcome visitors next month (June 2025) as 'Beit Al-Tuhafiyat' (House of Masterpieces/Antiques). This meticulously restored venue promises a first-of-its-kind tourist experience in the capital, dedicated to lovers of priceless local and international antiques and valuables. Beit Al-Tuhafiyat aims to offer a unique journey back in time, allowing guests to wander through rooms echoing with history and admire the intricate details of authentic Baghdadi architecture. It will showcase an unparalleled collection of rare antiques, precious artifacts, traditional carpets, and intricate copperware. More than just a repository of treasures, the palace will serve as a vibrant cultural hub, set to host dynamic art exhibitions and a variety of engaging social and cultural activities. This initiative is seen as a vital step in preserving Baghdad's rich heritage and is hoped to inspire further projects to repurpose other historic palaces. The upcoming opening of Beit Al-Tuhafiyat signals an exciting addition to Baghdad's cultural landscape, offering a new space for appreciation and engagement with history and art.
Iraqi News
12-05-2025
- Iraqi News
Historic Khan Murjan in Baghdad begins long-awaited rehabilitation after 23 years
Baghdad ( – After 23 years of neglect, actual rehabilitation work has commenced on the historic Khan Murjan in Baghdad, a treasured architectural masterpiece dating back 667 years. This long-awaited initiative aims to restore the caravanserai to its former glory as a key historical and tourist destination in Iraq. Current efforts include finalizing studies, initial maintenance on windows and doors, implementing infrastructure to protect against groundwater, removing encroachments, and cleaning the exterior facade. The goal is to prepare this ancient structure to once again welcome Baghdad's residents and international visitors keen to experience its authentic local architecture. There is a strong vision for Khan Murjan's future use as a vibrant cultural hub. Suggestions include transforming its central courtyard into a rest area serving traditional Iraqi refreshments, using ground-floor rooms for heritage craft exhibitions, and dedicating upper rooms for artisan workshops. A mobile platform for Baghdadi folkloric music is also envisioned. This crucial step is hoped to be the beginning of fully restoring and sustainably managing this iconic landmark, allowing it to generate income for its upkeep and once again shine as a beacon of Baghdadi heritage.
Campaign ME
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Campaign ME
INFINITI reveals reimagined brand through multi-sensory MENA launch
INFINITI's rebrand has landed in the MENA region with a concept that goes beyond the traditional showroom unveiling. In line with its global repositioning from premium to elevated luxury, Arabian Automobiles – the brand's distributor in Dubai and the Northern Emirates – reimagined the customer journey with a launch designed to appeal to all five senses. The campaign, titled INFINITI Night Sky, delivered a multisensory experience that reflects INFINITI's evolved identity. In partnership with agencies ComCo, the launch integrated influencer marketing, regional creative talent, and immersive touchpoints to mark the debut of the new QX80 and the brand's renewed direction. The event turned into a representation of the rebrand resulting in 4.27M+ reach with press coverage and 2.5M+ reach with media and influencer attendance. Hussam Baghdadi, Senior Director of Arabian Automobiles, said, 'At the heart of INFINITI's philosophy is the belief that true luxury speaks to all five senses. With that in mind, we curated a multisensory experience that would immerse our guests in the very essence of the brand – one that feels refined, human, and emotionally resonant.' The creative narrative was rooted from a simple yet impactful prompt: Do you ever look up at the sky and think about infinity? This sparked the overarching theme of the INFINITI Night Sky. INFINITI Night Sky: Five senses This campaign was released across social media platforms of INFINITI Dubai and Arabian Automobiles, internal and external database. The stars of the evening, each with a significant social media presence, played a key role in amplifying the event's reach. Influencer collaborations and press coverage were integral to extending the campaign's footprint, reinforcing the brand's message to a broader audience. The event was designed with multiple goals in mind. First, INFINITI set out to strengthen brand awareness by positioning itself firmly within the region's luxury and innovation space. Equally important was deepening customer engagement by crafting an immersive, multisensory experience that left a lasting emotional impact and fostered long-term loyalty. The launch of the new QX80 was a key moment, aimed at enhancing the brand's image and drawing new audiences through INFINITI's Experience Centres. Finally, the event served as a platform to forge stronger ties with the UAE's lifestyle and design-savvy communities. 'To bring INFINITI's human-centric and multisensory luxury philosophy to life, we collaborated with a constellation of regional stars – each representing one of the five senses and embodying the values that define the INFINITI brand: Human, Daring, and Forward,' says Baghdadi. The event integrated local talent, reflecting regional tastes and catering to an audience that values exclusivity and innovation. Collaborations with regional creatives from fashion to fragrance helped localise the brand while preserving its global identity. The five senses: Each sense was represented by a creative collaborator: Sight was represented by the fashion designer Alaa Sarkis. For this occasion, Alaa debuted an exclusive, never-before-seen collection created especially for the INFINITI Centre launch – blending haute couture with storytelling in a visual showcase. Taste was crafted by Chef Reif Othman, of Reif Kushiyaki. Chef Reif brought Japanese food artistry to the evening. Sound came alive through a soulful performance by Layla Kardan. Awarded Emirates Woman Artist of the Year, Layla delivered an emotive performance that captured the emotional spirit of the rebrand. Scent was curated by Mishaal Alireza, Founder of Rezaroma, offered guests a bespoke sensory moment, a signature fragrance to take home and the opportunity to explore their scent lab on-site. For Touch, Guests generated custom portraits of the night sky based on their birth date and location – a poetic activation tying back to the campaign theme. The night was navigated by host Rashid Peyman Al Awadhi who took everyone through every multisensory experience. 'Each of these collaborators not only brought their craft to the event – they brought emotion, meaning, and personal connection, all of which are central to how INFINITI defines modern luxury,' says Baghdadi Audience, strategy, and amplification The event targeted a blend of INFINITI loyalists and new audiences, particularly those who value design, individuality, and elevated experiences. 'We're speaking to the modern luxury consumer – discerning individuals who value design, innovation, and individuality,' says Baghdadi. While the core audience included automotive and luxury media, the multidisciplinary nature of the event attracted a broader mix of tastemakers – spanning fashion, F&B, music, and lifestyle. He continues, 'Another key group we were intentional about including were entrepreneurs and brand decision-makers – individuals whose circles not only align with our target customer base but who also represent potential collaborators and partners. These are people who can move the needle: they have purchasing power, influence within their industries, and the ability to open doors for future brand opportunities. By engaging this dynamic mix, we were able to expand the conversation beyond traditional automotive, and position INFINITI as a brand that lives at the intersection of culture, innovation, and aspiration.' Influencer strategy played a central role in shaping the tone and reach of the campaign. According to Baghdadi, the campaign benefited from the reach and relevance of the creative collaborators, who already held significant digital influence. Response and results: 'The audience responded with overwhelming positivity, from social media buzz to direct messages praising the originality and emotional depth of the event. Many shared that it was unlike any automotive launch they had ever attended, citing how the sensory layers made the experience unforgettable. A surprising insight was how many guests were deeply moved by the night sky activation. It became a powerful moment of personal reflection and connection,' says Baghdadi. The campaign's success was measured through event attendance, press coverage, and showroom footfall. The statistical overview is: 27M+ reach with press coverage 5M+ reach with media and influencer attendance 671K impressions garnered over all platforms 667K total video views across all platforms 528K accounts reached over all platforms 'So far, the response has been strong – attendance surpassed expectations, and footfall at the INFINITI Experience Centre has seen a noticeable rise. It's clear the campaign struck a meaningful chord and brought INFINITI's new vision to life,' says Baghdadi. The launch marked more than the unveiling of a new vehicle; it became a layered exploration of luxury by evoking consumers five senses and left them with the question – Do you ever look up at the sky and think about infinity? Credits: Client: Arabian Automobiles Company, AW Rostamani Group Brand: INFINITI Middle East Event Concept & Strategy: ComCo MEA Event Management & Production: ComCo MEA PR & Communications: ComCo MEA Social Media: C&B Content Creation: Hajjo Media Collaborators: Fashion: Alaa Sarkis Culinary: Chef Reif Othman Music: Layla Kardan Scent: Mishaal Alireza / Rezaroma Event Host: Peyman Al Awadhi
Iraqi News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Baghdad skies filled with kites: Annual festival in Abu Nuwas
Baghdad ( – Kites filled the skies above Abu Nuwas Gardens in central Baghdad on Saturday (May 3, 2025) as families gathered for the Baghdad Kite Festival. Sponsored by the Central Bank of Iraq, the annual event, now in its 8th season, celebrated Iraqi culture and community spirit. Organizer Ali Al-Ghalib explained the festival, founded in 2017, aims to showcase Baghdadi heritage through elements like Shanashil designs while reflecting the capital's current peace and stability. 'It's an opportunity for children to play with kites and for families to relax in these green spaces,' he told Shafaq News Agency. Alongside kite flying, the festival featured vibrant bazaars with youth-run stalls offering games, food, and drinks. Notably, the Ministry of Interior's volunteer 'Friends' team participated, engaging the public on crucial issues like drug abuse awareness and promoting the 911 emergency hotline. For attendees like Fatima Khalid, who came with her child, the event was a chance to 'recapture childhood,' lamenting how simple joys like kite flying have faded in the digital age. The festival successfully blended cultural pride, family fun, and positive community outreach.
Rudaw Net
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Erbil police capture Syrian suspected of brutally killing Iraqi model
Also in Kurdistan Kurdish president discusses regional developments with Russia's deputy FM KRG supplies eight Erbil neighborhoods 24-hour power KIU leader confirms party's decision to stay out of next KRG cabinet Turkish diplomat, KRG deputy PM discuss Kurdistan oil exports A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – An 18-year-old Iraqi model and blogger, Noor al-Dulaimi, was recently suffocated to death at a hotel in Erbil and her body set on fire at a distant location, Erbil's police directorate said on Wednesday. The police statement added that a Syrian national confessed to killing the Baghdadi descendant after the two 'had an altercation' at a hotel late at night. He reportedly suffocated Dulaimi and stole her belongings and attempted to 'escape punishment by taking the woman's corpse to a distant location and setting it ablaze.' The Erbil Police on Wednesday published CCTV footage captured at dawn on Tuesday showing the purported killer stopping at a gas station and purchasing a type of fuel. The published footage then shows a distant fire at Erbil's doorstep, believed to be the flames from the blaze set by the suspected killer torching the victim's body. The Erbil police have arrested the suspect and he will face legal action under Article 406 of Iraq's Penal Code, which stipulates that 'any person who willfully kills another is punishable by death,' including if 'the offender mutilates the body of the victim.' While originally from Baghdad, Dulaimi has been living in Erbil with her two sisters for eight years. Her relatives alleged that the 18-year-old suspect's motive was theft. Speaking to Rudaw's Farhad Dolamari, Noor's sister Shams al-Dulaimi raised concerns about potential accomplices in the crime questioning 'how did the killer manage to carry a dead body out of the hotel, move it to a distant place and set it ablaze' suggesting that 'it makes no sense that someone could have carried out such a crime alone.' Shams alleged that the Erbil police initially informed her that 'two killers, a Syrian man and a Kurdish man from Erbil' participated in the crime but later said it was only one Syrian national. Speaking to Rudaw as well, Noor's other sister Marwa al-Dulaimi urged interrogating hotel workers who may have witnessed or had knowledge of the crime. It is worth noting that following a forensic medical examination Dulaimi's body was returned to Baghdad and her relatives have filed a lawsuit.
