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    Alattiya.Tamara_Basra_1977.jpeg
    My father, Uraibi Abdel Hamza, in front of a car in the city of Kut. Kut, 1980
    My grandparents in Baghdad, Iraq right after they got engaged in 1973. Later on my grandfather died due to leukemia, they had 7 kids together. My youngest aunt was only 9 months old when my grandfather passed away. Right after he died, my grandmother started to only wear black and never puts make up anymore until today cuz she says the world lost its colour when he died. They really loved each other. Baghdad, 1973
    These photo are important to me because they’re a zeitgeist of scenery in a Baghdad that no longer exists. The famous two story Baghdadi style houses are disappearing one by one and are being replaced by either planned out, unoriginal, community style (often high rise) projects, such as Iraqi gate, or by tiny McMansion style shoe boxes, often made in attempts of adapting to Baghdad’s failed electrical system. Beyond that the photos also look very lush and vegetive, which is something that is also disappearing in an Iraq that can’t seem to adapt to climate change, as despite being seen as the least of the worries plaguing our country, it will be the one that’s most impactful in our near future. Lastly, the photos just look peaceful and happy, in contrast to the “usual” photos of the last 20+ years. Grandma's house, Baghdad, 1970s
    These photo are important to me because they’re a zeitgeist of scenery in a Baghdad that no longer exists. The famous two story Baghdadi style houses are disappearing one by one and are being replaced by either planned out, unoriginal, community style (often high rise) projects, such as Iraqi gate, or by tiny McMansion style shoe boxes, often made in attempts of adapting to Baghdad’s failed electrical system. Beyond that the photos also look very lush and vegetive, which is something that is also disappearing in an Iraq that can’t seem to adapt to climate change, as despite being seen as the least of the worries plaguing our country, it will be the one that’s most impactful in our near future. Lastly, the photos just look peaceful and happy, in contrast to the “usual” photos of the last 20+ years. My aunt, Baghdad, 1974
    Baghdad, 1960s
    These are photos of my father's history he never liked to talk about. Baghdad, 1970s
    Baghdad, 1960s
    Institute of Fine Arts Baghdad, 1970s
    These pictures are of my father and some of the heroes who are standing against enemy lines in northern Iraq, where they represent the best Iraqi heroes in confronting the enemies. Sulaymaniyah, 1980
    الاول من الواقفين من اليمين وزير الشباب والرياضة السابق جاسم محمد جعفر عندما كان طالبا في جامعة السليمانية This picture was taken in Sulaimaniya University in the late 70's. First one who is on the right is the previous Iraqi Minister of youth and sport. His name is Jasim Muhammed Ja’fer Sulaimaniya Univeristy, 1970s
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. The minaret of Ana has since been destroyed. Ana, 1980-1982
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. Samarra, 1980-1982
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. Al Ukhaidir fortress, near Karbala, 1980-1982
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. Al Ukhaidir fortress, near Karbala, 1980-1982
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. Heet, 1980-1982
    These are photos my parents took while they were in architecture school at the University of Baghdad. Heet, 1980-1982
    My uncle and my mother, أمي و خالي Baqubeh, Diyala, 1969
    This is my saba, Salach (Tzvi) Dagmi. This picture is important to me, as it's a reminder of the vibrant Jewish Baghdadi community that lived in, and were an integral part of, the city and country. My saba worked at the train station selling train tickets and package postage slips. Baghdad, 1947-49
    It’s my grandfather and his friends. Baghdad, 1950
    My father and his friend Dr. Yaqoub AbdulMasih who is currently in Dublin, on a field trip to the historic and legendry Babylonian city. Babylon is a very important city and legacy of Iraq and the world, whether historically or even religiously. Babylon, 1984
    My father and his friend Dr. Yaqoub AbdulMasih who is currently in Dublin, on a field trip to the historic and legendry Babylonian city, here at the Ishtar Gate. Babylon is a very important city and legacy of Iraq and the world, whether historically or even religiously. Babylon, 1984
    My father and his friend Dr. Yaqoub AbdulMasih who is currently in Dublin, on a field trip to the historic and legendry Babylonian city. Babylon is a very important city and legacy of Iraq and the world, whether historically or even religiously. Babylon, 1984
    My father and his friend Dr. Yaqoub AbdulMasih who is currently in Dublin, on a field trip to the historic and legendry Babylonian city. Babylon is a very important city and legacy of Iraq and the world, whether historically or even religiously. Babylon, 1984
    My father and his friend Dr. Yaqoub AbdulMasih who is currently in Dublin, on a field trip to the historic and legendry Babylonian city. Babylon is a very important city and legacy of Iraq and the world, whether historically or even religiously. Babylon, 1984
    Basra International Airport VIP Hall access under construction - which was later used only by the Iraqi president or very high officials. Basra, 1986
    Photos taken infront of the Basra International Airport while it was under construction. This airport was a huge and important project due to its strategic location in the South of Iraq for business travel and economic growth and trade, etc. It should be noted that currently the state of the airport is embarrassing and shameful, only a small section of the airport is operational while the rest is closed for obvious reasons (unrest in Iraq reduced tourism and frequency of travelers into Basra) but what's upsetting is none of the facilities of this small operational portion is being maintained, serviced or fixed. All the equipments and technological advancements that were installed into this airport are mostly broken and not functioning; and rather than fixing them, they are being replaced by outdated systems. Basra, 1986
    Photos taken infront of the Basra International Airport while it was under construction. This airport was a huge and important project due to its strategic location in the South of Iraq for business travel and economic growth and trade, etc. It should be noted that currently the state of the airport is embarrassing and shameful, only a small section of the airport is operational while the rest is closed for obvious reasons (unrest in Iraq reduced tourism and frequency of travelers into Basra) but what's upsetting is none of the facilities of this small operational portion is being maintained, serviced or fixed. All the equipments and technological advancements that were installed into this airport are mostly broken and not functioning; and rather than fixing them, they are being replaced by outdated systems. Basra, 1986
    The Iraqi Marshes - my father with his bestfriend Saeed Dhamad who is currently in Canada and friends on yet another field trip. Al Ahwar, 1984
    The Iraqi Marshes - my father with his bestfriend Saeed Dhamad who is currently in Canada and friends on yet another field trip. Al Ahwar, 1984
    My father with two of his friends standing by a Farm in Al Faw City. Iraq has a lot of resources, agriculture, great soil, water sources, natural water flows. It is important that we highlight that there is more to Iraq than war and catastrophe. Al Faw, 1986
    My father, his two brothers in Kurdistan with their Kurdi friend. The picture was taken infront of the Gali Ali Bag Waterfall near Soran. Iraq has a lot of resources, agriculture, great soil, water sources, natural water flows. It is important that we highlight that there is more to Iraq than war and catastrophe. Gali Ali Bag Waterfall, Kurdistan, 1985
    Basra International Airport housing compound - my father with a friend having a swim in the recreation area. Basra, 1983
    Burjesia park was one of the most common parks that families and friends went for picnics and BBQs there. Basra, 1985
    A photo taken in the housing compound for Basra International Airport workers. The compound was 90% foreigners and 10% Iraqis since most of Iraqis already had a living space somewhere within the city. My father, a colleague and friend with her daughter, who are still family friends of ours. The three people in the picture are wearing similar t-shirts with the same logo, once my dad told me what the logo/t-shirts stood for, I found it interesting that such a culture was very common in Basra among the foreigners and Iraqis. The logo is for a running social club called Hash House Harriers established in 1938, a lot of people who were part of the Hashers/Harriers group wore these shirts and participated in many runs around the city. The Hashers t-shirts were provided by the UNICEF in Basra. Basra, 1984-86
    The Mesopotamian Marshlands (Al-Ahwar) have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, where they wrote ''The inscription of the property known as ‘The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities' is an international recognition of its outstanding universal value. With its cultural and natural features, the Marshlands played a major role in the development of the earliest urban centers and in the emergence of complex societies in southern Mesopotamia, dubbed as the Cradle of Civilization. The mixed serial property includes four natural and three cultural components, namely the Huwaizah, East and West Hammar and Central Marshes, together with the archaeological sites of Ur, Uruk and Eridu.'' Iraq is full of despair, yet filled with potential, hope and wonders. Al Ahwar, 1980s
    The construction of my grandparents house in AlGhazaliya. This image fills me with nostalgia as firstly I did not remember the details of my grandparents house design (external); where the main thing I remember is everything on the inside, from the last time I was there in 2001 for a month, seeing my grandfather for the last time, Baghdad for the last time, this house for the last time. Not to mention that before 2001 the last time I was in Baghdad I was 6 years old. Baghdad, 1985
    The construction of my grandparents house in AlGhazaliya. This image fills me with nostalgia as firstly I did not remember the details of my grandparents house design (external); where the main thing I remember is everything on the inside, from the last time I was there in 2001 for a month, seeing my grandfather for the last time, Baghdad for the last time, this house for the last time. Not to mention that before 2001 the last time I was in Baghdad I was 6 years old. Baghdad, 1985
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in this photo you can see drowned Anah with the tops of the Palm trees still on top of the water. Anah, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in this photo you can see Rawa as the water is rising due to the start of filling the Haditha damm. Rawa, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in this photo you can see Rawa as the water is rising due to the start of filling the Haditha damm. Rawa, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in this photo you can see Rawa as the water is rising due to the start of filling the Haditha damm. Rawa, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in these photos you can see the Anah Islands. Anah, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area - in these photos you can see the Anah Islands. Anah, 1989
    My father went on a road trip with his friends yet again to the Anah area and then specifically to the land facing Aloos Island which is in the Euphrates river. Very interesting for me as it represents my heritage, family and ancestors history, they left a great memory behind them and their eagerness to be educated, be teachers, scientists, philosophers, etc. just makes me proud to have a family name that stands for a great legacy (in my opinion). Aloos island, 1989
    This lady sitting next to my father is a Basrawi singer known as Rabeaa Kareem, her music can be found on YouTube and she is pretty well known. She used to also work in the Basra Airport along with my dad. She is very iconic, her style, character, personality, her race and career. I love the fact that she remains in history online, youtube, etc. a representation of harmony amongst the people, as Basra has a lot of colored people and there is more acceptance there than anywhere else as it's very common with a big black community and population; specifically AlZubair area in Basra. Basra, 1985
    This hole is referred to as Tilbis Prison. Hamurabi used this prison/holes when he enslaved Jews to work for him in Babylon. The jail cells were for the aggressive/dangerous Jews; they were put into that small space and a rock was inserted into the opening to close it, then a long metal bar was put through two mini openings on either side to secure it closed. East of Anah, 1983
    My parents went to Anah and Rawa during their honey moon; he wanted to introduce her to where he grew up. My mother in this photo is standing infront of a fallen meteor that has created a huge and deep hole around itself deep in the ground. This area is known as AlKhasfa or Khasfat Salman Roza (Salman Roza is a very well known professional car racer, his car fell into this hole at a night in the 50s where his car remains are still present there) or Khasfat Om AlTal. Alkhasfa, 1989
    My parents went to Anah and Rawa during their honey moon; he wanted to introduce her to where he grew up. My mother in this photo is standing infront of a fallen meteor that has created a huge and deep hole around itself deep in the ground. This area is known as AlKhasfa or Khasfat Salman Roza (Salman Roza is a very well known professional car racer, his car fell into this hole at a night in the 50s where his car remains are still present there) or Khasfat Om AlTal. Alkhasfa, 1989
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