Support independent media from #Iraq! Follow us on https://t.co/3lBl44jzRk ♥️🧿

On this #WorldRefugeeDay we honor the unwavering resilience of Iraqi refugees. Millions have sought refuge, escaping conflict and displacement. Their strength fuels our collective determination to create a world where no one is deemed illegal, and solidarity surpasses borders.

One of the oldest things that has remained standing in #Iraq is the Lion of Babylon - a basalt statue depicting a lion standing over a lying human. It once featured a saddle that held up a statue of Ishtar - the goddess of fertility, love and war. What can be more Iraqi?

📸 All photos by Baghdad based photographer @IshtarObaid.

But through raising awareness, popular resistance and work on the community level, change is possible. In fact, it’s a matter of life and death. 4/4

When combined with a complete lack of basic services and infrastructure, widespread poverty and an overhanging threat of violence, the picture for Iraq looks very grim. 3/4

This means that the ancient marshlands are drying up, a prospect that will displace entire communities. It also leads to the rise of seawater into southern lands, which threatens agriculture. Temperatures are also rising, with Basra recently recording a temperature of 54°C. 2/4

🧵 Today is #worldenvironmentday. 🌍 Less than two years ago, #Iraq experienced its second driest season in more than four decades. Rain falls much less than it used to. The Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the country’s two lifelines, have decreased by more than 40%. 1/4

The Ongoing Politicization of the Iraqi Artist | By @Joualt https://t.co/s8tD0LOLBp

💧 We are looking for a writer to contribute a piece about the future of water in Iraq; and discuss topics like the Tigris River, the marshes, desertification and public ownership.🌴

Despite not growing up in Iraq, 16-year-old Ali Hayder dreams of taking the Lions of Mesopotamia to the World Cup in 2026.

Twenty years later, we are still #Iraq. // visuals by @lujainjo + sounds by @TheNarcicyst & text by shakomakoNET //

We are looking for someone to work with us on our upcoming issue! We want to create a proposal for a community center that could be placed throughout #Iraq and in Iraqi communities around the world. In specific, we need help creating architectural renders and drawings. DM us!

In torrential rain, 65,000 fans filled Basra stadium. They were there hours before kick-off, chanting for #Iraq. Women and men. Children and elders. The big screen showed lovers hugging and a fan breaking into Kurdish dance to celebrate Iraq’s win. That is the magic of football.

All of our projects are self funded and volunteer run. Our collective is constantly changing - from one project to another - and we would love for you to join us in putting this next issue. Please reach out!

Most recently, about a year and a half ago, we decided to go with an issue based approach. That's why, on our website, you see three issues on there at the moment. And that's why our next project is another issue - a special print issue to mark 20 years since the US invasion.

Since then, we have gone through many iterations as a website, a community group that puts together events and festivals, and even sponsors local football teams, and, most importantly, as a platform that has allowed dozens of writers and artists to showcase their work.

🧵 A bit about us! We are a fiercely independent platform that celebrates everything Iraqi. We first started creating content in 2001 after a brother and sister set up a website from their kitchen.

This is Basra. Most have heard of it lately as a host of football's Gulf Cup. Basra is #Iraq's second largest city and is known as a port steeped in music, writing and poetry. It has been destroyed by many wars and its people deserve all the love the city is getting.

نسعى في https://t.co/HRSz1iqI3i لتوفير مساحة ادبية وفنية لجميع فئات المجتمع ونشجع تقديم المشاركات من الاصوات المهمشة. يرجى تقديم جميع المشاركات قبل ٥ فبراير ٢٠٢٣. الدعوة مفتوحة للعراقيين وغير العراقيين.