Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
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Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL

Iraq on Monday exhibited several ancient artifacts that it said had been returned by the United States and other countries, long after they were looted and smuggled out following the 2003 US invasion.
Iraqi authorities have been trying to retrieve thousands of archaeological relics missing since the invasion, which was followed by widespread looting in the country that some historians regard as the cradle of civilization, Reuters said.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein handed the recently recovered relics over to Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed al-Badrani at a ceremony in Baghdad.
Most of the artifacts on display at the foreign ministry headquarters were returned by the US after a visit by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Washington in April, Badrani said.
He said other relics had been returned by other states, but gave no details.
Hussein said more "rare archeological collections" would be returned by Switzerland and Japan this month.



Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Program Guests Visit Kiswa Complex, Revelation Exhibition

Guests are seen at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Guests are seen at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Program Guests Visit Kiswa Complex, Revelation Exhibition

Guests are seen at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Guests are seen at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)

Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation toured the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, as part of a program implemented and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

Guests learned about the stages of Kiswa production, from fabric preparation to embroidery. They were also introduced to the raw materials used in the weaving process and participated in a symbolic experience of stitching a section of the new Kiswa, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The guests also toured the diverse halls of the Revelation Exhibition, where they viewed displays narrating the stories of the prophets and highlighting the prophetic features from the life of Prophet Muhammad.

The guests expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for its great dedication to preserving the Prophet’s biography and the history of Islam.

The number of guests hosted under this year’s program has reached 2,443 pilgrims from over 100 countries. All services are provided to the guests through an integrated system overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.