A small clay tablet dating back 3,500 years and bearing a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh, that was looted from an Iraqi museum 30 years ago and recently recovered from the United States, has been formally returned to Iraq. The $1.7m cuneiform tablet, known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, is one of the world’s oldest surviving works of literature and one of the oldest religious texts. It was found in 1853 as part of a 12-tablet collection in the rubble of the library of Assyrian King Assur Banipal. The tablet was looted from an Iraqi museum during the 1991 Gulf War. Officials believed it was illegally imported into the […]
On Sunday, Iraqis will vote for a new parliament, in a snap election under a new electoral law. Iraq has seen large anti-government protests in recent years – against unemployment and lack of services. With so much anger bubbling, hopeful candidates to the parliament have kept a low profile and instead of canvassing the streets of Baghdad, they have taken their campaign to social media to attract young voters. Some social media influencers are calling for a boycott of the elections because they say politicians need to offer better policies to tackle Iraq’s challenges. This adds to the challenges that independent candidates face in every election, in a country where […]
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has met one of Shia Islam’s most influential figures. Pope Francis visited Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf as his historic visit to Iraq continued. The two discussed the plight of Iraq’s Christians and called on Muslims to embrace the country’s religious minority. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reports from Najaf, Iraq. – Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #PopeFrancis #PopeInIraq #Sistani
Kuwait has sworn in its new emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, to receive the body of his half-brother, the late ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah who died in the United States at the age of 91. The body of Sheikh Sabah, an acclaimed diplomat and mediator who ruled for 14 years, is expected to arrive in Kuwait City later on Wednesday. He died on Tuesday in Minnesota where he had been undergoing treatment in hospital since July. The new leader is popular within the ruling al-Sabah family and is reported to have been a consensus choice for ruler. He also enjoys a reputation for modesty and has largely maintained […]
Iran’s supreme leader says Tehran will not interfere in relations between Iraq and the United States. He was speaking after meeting Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi in the Iranian capital. But Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US is an enemy and does not want an independent Iraq. Al Jazeera’s Alexi O’Brien reports. – Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #Iran #MustafaKhadimi #Khamenei
Iraq’s government has banned large public gatherings as coronavirus spreads. It’s also ordered cafes, restaurants and clubs to close. But in Baghdad, life appears to be going on as normal and some business owners think the government’s response is exaggerated. Al Jazeera’s Rob Matheson reports from Baghdad, Iraq. – Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #Iraq #Coronavirus #AlJazeeraEnglish
