In this AJ+ Arabic story, Sultan discusses Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi’s tribute to the Seven Odes, which form a quintessential part of the Arabic poetic repertoire. Watch and take a closer look at this set of twelve paintings. Read more »
Iraq
Dia Azzawi: Good Morning Beirut (Handala)
In 1982, the Israeli siege of Beirut brought with it a world of suffering and destruction. In response to this, Palestinian artist and cartoonist Naji Al Ali, painted “Good Morning Beirut,” which depicted Handala presenting a flower through a hole in the wall to a young woman. This powerful scene of solidarity would later be recreated in a sculpture by Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi. Take a look with Sultan in this AJ+ Arabic story. Read more »
Dia Azzawi: Sabra & Shatila (the “Arab Guernica”)
On September 16, 1982, radio news bulletins described an Israeli sanctioned massacre in the Palestinian camps in Sabra and Shatilla, west of Beirut, Lebanon. One of those listening was Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi. Take a look at his response to the massacre in this AJ+ Arabic story, with Sultan. Read more »
A Bad Omen: The Iraqi Elections Impasse
The Arab Gulf states have mostly sat on the sidelines since the 2003 war. Even Qatar, diplomatically the most active state in the Gulf, has been conspicuous by its absence from the Iraqi arena. Indeed, the peninsular emirate has recently successfully mediated similar situations in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon — the latter crisis ending with the formation of a Lebanese government last November after five months of heavy-handed negotiations. Read more »
Time for Arabs to get serious about Iraq
The Arab countries have been slow to establish ties with post-Saddam Iraq. But it’s in everyone’s interest that they do. Read more »
Gulf states may continue to ignore Iraq at their own peril
The GCC countries must immediately awaken from their state of suspended animation as individual countries and, as a united block, mobilise their enormous wealth to launch a major Iraq rescue plan. Read more »