The Baghdadi in the Ottoman Documents

The Baghdadi in the Ottoman Documents

By Dr. Maitham Al-Harbi

Translated by Amal Ibrahim

The Ottoman rule over Iraq, as is well known, spanned four centuries, from 1517 till 1917, during which the country became a vast archive, telling the story of politics, society, culture, religion, and the military. The Baghdadi Cultural Center holds a significant share of this archival legacy, appearing in the form of written documents, images, or artifacts that reveal the center’s history and transformations over time.

In line with the ongoing architectural and informational development efforts led by Baghdad’s Governorate and the center’s management to establish it as a dynamic tourist destination, a new research project offered the partnership for the center with Al-Nahrain Network/ University college of London in order to enhance the engagement of visitors with the BCC’s displays and various cultural activities. the project that is implemented by the support of Peta cultural services, has established better access to the BCC’s cultural riches via its website, Bab Baghdad. This site, part of a joint development project utilizing both local and international expertise, is set to become Iraq’s leading platform, showcasing the rich heritage of the Baghdadi Cultural Center. It will connect audiences to Baghdad’s tangible and intangible heritage through its extensive documents, museums, libraries, and a variety of activities and events.

As part of this effort, the Bab Baghdad team visited Turkey to explore Ottoman archives for rare documents and exhibits related to the historical phases of the Baghdadi Cultural Center. This scientific and professional search uncovered a wealth of rare and valuable materials, including documents and photographs relevant to the center, which will soon be accessible to both local and international visitors. The research trip covered several locations, including the Istanbul University Library Archive, the Ottoman Archives in Istanbul, the Turkish General Command Museum, the Military Museum at the Turkish Ministry of Defense, and the Rami Public Library.

The vision for the Baghdadi Cultural Center platform is to create an exemplary and inspiring space for all cultural centers in the various provinces, cities, and districts of Iraq. The goal is to provide interactive windows that revisit the nation’s cultural transformations through tangible documents, images, and books, as well as audio-visual materials, to help uncover what may have been overlooked by researchers and offer valuable and new findings for future generations