IRAQ: Beth Nahrain Organization for Women holds ceremony to conclude eleventh drawing course in Baghdede

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — The Beth Nahrain Organization for Women (BNOW) held an exhibition and ceremony in the gardens of the Pool Hall in the Syriac town of Baghdede to mark the conclusion of its 11th art course. The course was made possible with the support of Dutch organization Stichting Ismael.

The ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman of the District Council of Baghdede, Najah Jamil Habash, Secretary of the Council Ramzi Hormuz Yako, former Nineveh Provincial Council member Saad Tanius, Director of the Iraqi Press Institute, as well as numerous representatives of civil society organizations and the parents of students participating in the course. The ceremony was open to the public.

The exhibition was opened by BNOW President Matti Tuma and other organization officials. The ceremony began with a minute of silence for the souls of martyrs, accompanied by the Iraqi national anthem. Ronak Elias, BNOW official of the Nineveh branch, delivered a speech on behalf of the organization.

Elias expressed gratitude towards Stichting Ismael for supporting the project and made reference to the history and importance of art in Iraq and around the world.

The ceremony closed with the distribution of graduation certificates which were handed out together with a copy of the Bible to each participant.