Media and Government Communication Unit
Al-Najaf Technical Institute
In a distinguished scholarly achievement that adds to the field of modern historical studies, Assistant Lecturer Suhair Abbas Kazem, a specialist in modern history, has published an academic book entitled “Social Life in the Middle Euphrates Region in the Light of Foreign Travelers’ Writings (1831–1914)”. The book represents a rigorous analytical study based on foreign travel accounts that examined Iraqi society during the Ottoman period.
The work sheds light on features of social life in the Middle Euphrates region as observed by foreign travelers, addressing patterns of living, prevailing customs and traditions of the time, including marriage practices, traditions associated with the holy month of Ramadan, social customs among nomadic Bedouins, as well as the rituals of religious visitations to the holy shrines. The author adopts a critical analytical approach to travelers’ writings, which adds an important documentary and cognitive dimension to understanding local society from an external perspective.
In celebration of this scholarly achievement, Assistant Lecturer Suhair Abbas Kazem was honored with the Iraqi Creativity Shield by the President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Professor Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, in recognition of her scientific efforts and distinguished academic contribution. The University President also presented a certificate of appreciation in acknowledgment of this research output, which reflects the researcher’s standing and role in serving national history.
It is worth noting that the book was published by Al-Sadiq Publishing House, constituting a valuable addition to the historical library and an important reference for researchers and those interested in modern Iraqi social history. Social Life in the Middle Euphrates Region in the Light of Foreign Travelers’ Writings stands as a solid academic study documenting significant aspects of Iraqi society during the Ottoman era, grounded in foreign travel sources and systematic scientific analysis.
Additionally, the Dean of Al-Najaf Technical Institute, Professor Dr. Haider Hassan Al-Abdali, honored the researcher for her distinguished role in producing this valuable scholarly work. This recognition of the book’s author crowns an outstanding research effort that strengthens the presence of social historical studies and enriches Iraqi cultural memory.
