Shafaq News
Dhi Qar
Province, in Iraq’s southern heartland, is often overshadowed by its larger
neighbors, yet it remains one of the country’s most historically rich and
socially complex regions. Known in older references as Siwaki, the province
combines the legacies of Mesopotamia’s earliest cities with the pressing
realities of modern governance, economic struggle, and cultural resilience.
Ancient
Heart of Mesopotamia
At the
center of Dhi Qar’s identity lies its ancient heritage. The Ziggurat of Ur,
dating back more than four millennia, towers as a reminder of the city that
once dominated Sumerian life and is traditionally linked to the Prophet
Abraham. Alongside Ur stand the ruins of Eridu, Girsu, and Lagash, cities that
shaped the dawn of human civilization. More than 1,200 archaeological sites are
registered across the province, though less than 10 percent have been
excavated. Recent international digs, including those led by the British Museum
and the University of Pennsylvania, have uncovered temples and canal systems,
offering new glimpses into early urban societies.
Geography
and the Marshes
Covering
nearly 13,000 square kilometers, Dhi Qar stretches from desert plains to the
Central Marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The marshes provide habitat for
endangered species such as the smooth-coated otter and remain a lifeline for
local communities who depend on fishing, buffalo herding, and reed-based
crafts. But climate change, combined with declining water flow from the
Euphrates, has placed enormous strain on this delicate ecosystem. Summers
regularly exceed 50°C, and recurring sandstorms further complicate life in both
urban and rural areas.
A Diverse
Population
Home to
about 2.3 million residents, the province’s population is overwhelmingly Shiite
Arab, but includes Marsh Arabs (Ma’dan), Mandaeans, and small Christian
communities. Religious life is visible throughout the year: Shiite rituals fill
city streets during Muharram, while Mandaean priests continue baptism
ceremonies in the Euphrates, preserving ancient Aramaic prayers.
Tribal
structures also shape daily governance, with names such as Bani Hushaysh,
al-Ali, and al-Sa’idi carrying weight in dispute resolution. In rural areas,
tribal councils often settle conflicts faster than formal courts.
Education
and Social Development
Education
has expanded significantly since the establishment of the University of Dhi Qar
in 2000, which today enrolls more than 14,000 students across multiple
faculties. Women make up 52 percent of the student body, signaling changing
social patterns. Still, literacy rates in rural areas lag behind urban centers,
particularly among women.
Over 1,400
schools operate across the province, but aging infrastructure and teacher
shortages hinder progress. Civil society organizations and NGOs supplement
state efforts by introducing mobile libraries and school-support initiatives.
Economy and
Employment
Dhi Qar’s
economy sits at the intersection of oil wealth and agricultural decline. The
Al-Nasiriyah and Gharraf oil fields produce about 140,000 barrels per day, with
Gharraf being managed in partnership with foreign firms such as Petronas and
Japex. Yet, local employment quotas are often unmet, and residents complain
that pipelines provide little benefit to the community.
Agriculture,
once a source of pride, has suffered from shrinking water levels and soil
salinity that now affects nearly 40 percent of farmland. Despite these
difficulties, Dhi Qar still produced more than 11,000 tons of dates and nearly
8,000 tons of tomatoes in 2024. The marshes continue to supply fish, buffalo
milk, and reeds, forming part of the local economy and cultural identity.
Unemployment
remains one of the province’s most pressing issues. Overall rates stand at
about 32 percent, with youth unemployment nearing 50 percent. While informal
markets and small-scale factories absorb some of the workforce, large-scale
projects such as the proposed industrial zone in Fajr remain delayed. Tourism,
despite its immense potential, also struggles due to inadequate infrastructure,
poor road networks, and the absence of organized services.
Pope
Francis’s 2021 visit to Ur briefly placed Dhi Qar on the world stage, but the
momentum has not translated into sustainable tourism development.
Politics and
Protest
Dhi Qar has
long been associated with political activism and dissent. In 1991, following
the Gulf War, it was one of the first provinces to rise against Saddam
Hussein’s regime. The revolt was met with severe crackdowns, including mass
arrests and the draining of the marshes as a form of punishment.
Decades
later, the province again became a symbol of protest. In 2019, Al-Haboubi
Square in Al-Nasiriyah emerged as a central hub of the nationwide Tishreen
movement. The square hosted tents, murals, and rallies, serving as a platform
for demands for reform and better governance. Dozens of young demonstrators
were killed, but the site remains marked by memorials and murals that continue
to tell the story of sacrifice and resilience.
Culture and
Identity
Despite
hardships, cultural life in Dhi Qar remains vibrant, celebrating its poetry,
ranging from classical verse to street protest slogans. The Al-Nasiriyah Museum
holds more than 10,000 artifacts, with efforts underway by UNESCO to digitize
parts of its collection.
Traditional
music, particularly al-maqam, continues to echo across marsh villages,
accompanied by reed flutes and oral storytelling traditions. Contemporary art
is also finding a foothold: youth photography exhibitions in recent years have
captured both the hardships and everyday beauty of life in the province.
For Iraq and
the broader region, Dhi Qar is a land where Mesopotamian history coexists with
modern political challenges, where marshland biodiversity contends with water
scarcity, and where young voices push for reform against a backdrop of
unemployment and limited opportunities.
The province
may not be polished or well-promoted, but it offers something enduring:
resilience, deep cultural roots, and a living connection to the world’s
earliest civilizations.
Written and
edited by Shafaq News staff.
