Wassim Bessem of AL Monitor reports on the termination of the hand-woven carpet industry in Iraq:
“I’ve been weaving for many years. I employed some workers and together we would make three or four carpets per month. Work was profitable and in high demand to the extent that buyers would order carpets in advance,” she said. According to Umm Hassan, completing the work on a carpet took about two weeks and in the ’80s and ’90s the carpets cost about $40 each, a relatively expensive price at the time.
However, time and circumstances conspired against Umm Hassan, and she got tired. She was no longer able to work, except for limited periods, given the absence of opportunities that could capitalize on her expertise and train a new generation to master the skills of this traditional industry.
The destruction of culture appears to be taking place. It’s unsettling to realize that this happens because of our bloody removal Saddam Hussein, a dictator. As with Marshal Tito, he provided a source of stability amongst factions who hated each other.
