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Show us your Iraq

February 16^th, 2022

Now more than ever, following the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to find support and strength from family, friends, and neighbours.

In November UNDP Iraq’s Social Cohesion Programme launched a contest for Iraqis to showcase their photography skills, while illustrating what brings their communities together.

Five winners were selected for their creativity, originality, relatability to theme, and inspirational message.

"A group of Sabean-Mandaean women are performing rituals on the banks of the Tigris River to celebrate Prosperity Day. This picture represents the diversity of Iraqi society, the multiplicity of its sects, and the freedom of all sects to practice their rituals."

- Murtadha Rida, Baghdad

"This photo of the marshes of Iraq represents the work of a son and father fishing, and the social cohesion required by family to provide for daily livelihood."

- Abbas Raad Al-Asadi, Dhi Qar

"On the first day of spring (Nawroz), unable to go out because of the quarantine order, a family passes the time relaxing on the rooftop as tea boils in the kettle. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Government of Iraqi Kurdistan put in place quarantine orders beginning March 15, 2020. While stemming the tide of infections, social and economic impacts of the quarantine play out in the daily lives of Kurdish people in different ways."

- Younes Mohammed, 53, Erbil

"Bershaliar celebration: This is a Kurdish cultural celebration that takes place on the first Wednesday of February in Hauraman. The celebration expresses the joy and happiness of all the five villages in the region, which includes Kamala, Rohri, Jimy Wisya, Horman Takht and Sarbir on the meeting of the region's parliament, which elects a council to manage the affairs of all five villages. This parliament is run by two Sufi groups, Sheikh Othman al-Naqshbandi, and the dervishes of the region. The parliament was formed more than 900 years ago and holds its sessions every year, and this ceremony has become tradition for the residents due to the interest of tourists from all over the world in this event, and because the people of the region can sell the handicrafts to tourists during the three days of the ceremony. In these five villages, the people have lived together peacefully as brothers and without any problems for several generations."

- Nasih Ali Abdullah, Sulymaniyah

"During this celebration of International Women's Day, many women came out against restrictions and extremism, expressing their position in society. Women are earth flowers and doves of peace."