Thieves plunder Iraq’s oldest Christian cemetery in Iraq amid lack of protection

NAJAF, Iraq — In Najaf, Iraq, the lamentable state of Umm Khashm Cemetery, renowned as the largest and oldest Christian burial ground in the region, reflects a distressing trend of theft and desecration due to its lack of adequate protection.

The relentless onslaught of vandals and criminals extends beyond attacks on Christians, their properties, and sacred sites to include the plundering of archaeological and historical treasures.

Situated in the Al-Hira area, Umm Khashm Cemetery boasts a rich heritage spanning over 1,800 years across an expansive area exceeding 1,400 dunums.

Aqeel Ghaleb Al-Fatlawi, General Coordinator of the People’s Committee for the Protection of Antiquities and Heritage in Iraq, revealed to Rudaw the ongoing theft and desecration plaguing the cemetery, exacerbated by the absence of a protective perimeter.

Al-Fatlawi lamented the sheer scale of the cemetery, making an accurate count of its graves impossible, as they are concealed underground. He traced the onset of excavations and thefts to the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, attributing the illicit activities to local beliefs in buried treasures, including ornate jewelry interred with the deceased in intricately adorned stone coffins.

Recently, a nearby municipal government even illegally offered the grounds of the cemetery for commercial investment.

The plight of Umm Khashm Cemetery underscores the urgent need for enhanced protective measures and concerted efforts to preserve Iraq’s rich cultural and Christian heritage for future generations.