Tag: Endurance & Resilience

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.”

History

Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa (Baghdad)

In 1227 CE, the thirty-seventh Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir Billah (reigned 1226-1242 CE) commissioned the construction of Al-Mustansiriyya madrasa in the capital city of Baghdad named in his honour. Construction lasted for six years and the school opened in 1234 CE. It was one of the oldest madrasas in the world. Al-Mustansiriyah Madrassa stands as a testament to Iraq’s resilience and endurance over the centuries and demonstrates that barbarism and terrorism of any kind, at any period, cannot prevail over culture and knowledge. Continue reading Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa (Baghdad)

Indrajit RoyChoudhury9 Comments
Culture

The Baghdad Peace Festival, 2018

Baghdad was founded by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 762 CE. When he founded a completely new city for his capital, he chose the name Medina al-Salaam or The City of Peace. This was the official name on coins, weights, and other official usage, although the common people continued to use the old name. Baghdad soon became the home to pioneering scientists, astronomers, poets, mathematicians, musicians, historians, legalists and philosophers. The Baghdad Peace Festival was started in 2011 to remind people of that history. Continue reading The Baghdad Peace Festival, 2018

Indrajit RoyChoudhury20 Comments
Culture

Shahbandar Café | Traditional Adda Centre in Baghdad

Shahbandar café is one of Bagh­dad’s few remaining traditional cultural cafés. Since opening its doors, Shahbandar café had become a hub of Baghdad’s intellectual life, drawing poets and politicians to its wooden benches and photo-lined walls.  The café still stands, a testament to the resilience of the country and the capital, Baghdad, even if so much has happened here. From British rule to modern-day Iraq, Shahbandar has lived through the birth of a nation, the toppling of its monarchy, decades of domination by Saddam Hussein, the drama of the US-led invasion and the bloody chaos that followed. Continue reading Shahbandar Café | Traditional Adda Centre in Baghdad

Indrajit RoyChoudhury38 Comments
Mixed Bag

Explosions at Our Bank Head Office

One month ago, we encountered twin-car bomb attack on our office building. The Incident is still fresh in my mind and I feel sad for those poor families, who lost their near and dear ones. I fail to understand the purpose, the logic of terrorists, who kill innocent people in the name of their faith. They’re cowards. Do they think that they will reach the Heaven? NEVER! They will never find peace. Continue reading Explosions at Our Bank Head Office

Indrajit RoyChoudhury3 Comments