The Government of Iraq announced that Baghdad, the capital of that Islamic nation, will be the capital of the Islamic cultural world in 2026, due to the rich history of that region.
The announcement was made at the 13th edition of the Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Islamic World, held in February 2025.
According to the director general of the House of Iraqi Manuscripts, Ahmed Karim Al-Aliawi, “Baghdad was the city of peace, science, thought and creativity, and produced erudite poets and writers for centuries”.
He also highlighted the efforts of the Iraqi Ministry of Culture to preserve the country’s heritage, protect ancient artifacts and promote cultural identity by providing historical contributions to Islamic civilization.
Although the Iraqi capital makes daily headlines in the international media because of the wars that shake it and the deprivations suffered by its inhabitants, it is recognized in the Arab world for being a reference in terms of art and creativity, as it has been the home of outstanding musicians, writers and exponents of other artistic manifestations.
