Haldia IOC plant fire: At least three killed, over 40 injured after blaze in refineryĪ senior police officer of Purba Medinipur district told PTI 37 injured people are being referred to a hospital in Kolkata. PM Modi,Varanasi, Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election 2022, Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, UP Assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls 2022, BJP, NewsTracker PM in Varanasi tomorrow: Narendra Modi to inaugurate 22 projects worth over Rs 870-cr The resulting campaign to drive them out saw thousands of airstrikes, resulting in deaths of civilians and the rich heritage of the country being reduced to rubble. In 2014, the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or Daesh, launched an offensive on Mosul and Tikrit and its leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi announced the formation of a caliphate stretching from Aleppo in Syria to Diyala in Iraq. If that wasn’t enough, the country also witnessed massive sectarian violence - notably the conflict between the Shia Muslim majority and the Sunni Muslim minority within the country. As per estimates, over one lakh Iraqis died in the conflict. In 2003, the country went to war with US and its coalition forces, primarily the United Kingdom, after the US had claimed that that Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of building weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has had a bloody history - with a war with the United States, to sectarian violence and even attacks by the deadly Islamic State group. The festival's executive director Mohamed al-Rubaie was also quoted as saying, "It's a joyous festival that reflects Iraqi culture." Minister of Culture, Hassan Nadhim, said, "The massive flock of citizens to attend the festival's activities is clear evidence of the Iraqi citizen's desire to support culture and arts, which is a message to the whole world."Īccording to an AFP report, Yasser al-Ardawi, head of the Jordanian troupe, voiced confidence that the festival's return means that "security and stability have returned to Iraq". The Iraqi Ministry of Culture said that they hope that this festival will reflect the bright face of Iraq as a multicultural and multi-sectarian country and that the festival will be an appropriate opportunity for rapprochement and spreading love. Iraq has seen lots of bloodshed and turmoil and the celebration has been welcomed by most. The festival this year drew artists from several countries, including Jordan, Serbia and Russia as well as local talent.įunding for the festival this year has been mostly private.įor many, the return of the festival is a sign of peace and hope. The last time Iraq saw the festival being held was in 2002, the year before the United States-led invasion that eventually toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein. The first edition of the Babylon International Festival held at the heritage site of Babylon was in 1987. We haven't seen a festival like this for years," Shaima, 45, visiting the event at the ancient archaeological site with her two daughters, was quoted as saying by Agence France Presse. The festival, which began last Thursday, is being held for five days and features many activities and events, including music, dancing, folk arts and singing. The festival, first launched in 1987, was staged at the majestic UNESCO World Heritage site of Babylon, south of Baghdad.Thousands of people thronged Babylon to witness Iraq's Babylon International Festival, which is being held for the first time after an 18-year hiatus. "It’s a fundamental change compared with the terrible ordeals that we suffered," Shaima said. The arts showcase, staged in what was the capital of the ancient Mesopotamian state of Babylonia, this year drew artists from dozens of countries including Jordan, Serbia and Russia as well as homegrown talent. The five-day festival, which ended Monday, is one of the symbols of this new hope.
Today there is relative stability, though marred by periodic IS attacks and political tensions, and Iraqis are looking to the future. Tens of thousands died and much of the country and its rich cultural heritage were reduced to rubble.
In the years after, Iraq saw war between US troops and insurgents, sectarian clashes and the battle against the ISIL. The last edition of the festival was held in 2002, the year before the US-led invasion that toppled the veteran dictator Saddam Hussein. We haven’t seen a festival like this for years," said Shaima, 45, visiting the event at the ancient archeological site with her two daughters.