Karrada
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) |
Karrada | |
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| Country |  Iraq |
| City | Baghdad |
| Government | |
| • Type | Neighborhood Council |
Karrada (Arabic: كرّادة Karrāda) is an upper-class district of the city of Baghdad, Iraq. It has a mixed population of Muslims and Christians, as well as foreigners. One of the most religiously diverse areas, it is one of the two major districts of the Christian community in Baghdad, along with Dora. Karrada is bordered by Al-Jadriya, Zayouna and Bataween.
All of the Christians of the district congregate in Inner Karrada, where most of the churches are located, with congregations of Chaldeans, Assyrians, Melkite Greeks, and Armenian Catholics. It has two sub-districts, being Nazaith and Masbah. Karrada is on the northern part of the peninsula, which was created by a sharp turn in the Tigris river. As a result, the district has many of the waterfront properties, making it a desirable and expensive district. Today it is one of the most affluent and posh neighborhoods of Baghdad.
History
[edit]Karrada is an ancient irrigation method derived from the Kurdish language, meaning the animal used to draw water. The term originates from the Kurdish word "Kard," which means "to pull," and is associated with heavy animals like oxen and bulls. The person operating these animals is called the "Karrad." This technique was utilized in areas of Baghdad such as Karrada Sharqiya, Karrada Sayyed Idris, and Karrada Slaikh. In other regions, the term has also been used to refer to vegetable farming.
Establishment and formation
[edit]The history of Karrada dates back to the Abbasid era in the eighth century AD, when it was part of ancient Baghdad. Until now, Al-Karrada is one of the most crowded and interesting areas in Baghdad, but it has suffered from the turbulent political and security events in the country recently. Eastern Karrada is considered as one of the oldest places in Baghdad. Its history later began from the 19th century, during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The region provided an important source for agricultural goods manufactured in the city.[1]
Historically, Karrada was a small village in 1917 when the British entered Baghdad. It housed a few grand mansions belonging to wealthy Baghdadis, with the rest of the dwellings being modest mud-brick homes for farmers. The village was named Al-Karada because its inhabitants irrigated their orchards using water-drawing devices called karood.
In Karrada, markets were limited, consisting of scattered shops with small clusters of five or fewer stores. By the 1940s, commercial centers expanded with new marketplaces and shops. By 1944, buses replaced traditional horse carts as the main mode of transport. The 1960s saw the rise of public libraries like Al-Kindi Library and Abdullah Ibn Maktoom Library. Karrada Sharqiya Elementary School for Boys was established in 1923, along with schools for girls and other levels of education. In the 1940s, educators like Subhi al-Basam led cultural activities, and artists like Shawkat al-Khuffaf taught art.[2]
Modern era
[edit]Since 2003, Al-Karada has become a refuge for displaced individuals from various sects, religions, and ethnicities across Iraq. However, this transformation has had negative aspects, according to local real estate agent Mohammed Yaseen. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “What happened to Al-Karada after 2003 was akin to an invasion by nouveau riche individuals who acquired wealth through questionable deals. They have encroached upon the area, closing streets and alleys to create their personal Green Zones, while the original residents of Al-Karada have become victims of their failed policies.”
The district of Karrada has had multiple terrorist attacks over the years,[3][4] which occurred in part to the presence of its large Shia and Christian population and wealth. The area is relatively free from sectarianism otherwise, with the actual people of the district coexisting quite well. The airline Al-Naser Airlines has its head office in Karrada, in an area next to Al Jadirya Private Hospital.[5] On 3 July 2016, an ISIL terrorist attack in the area killed 347 civilians on one of the last evenings marking the end of Ramadan.[6]
The East Karrada district of Baghdad, Iraq, faces many housing problems. The area is densely populated, leading to overcrowding and inadequate living conditions. Many homes in this area were damaged during the Iraq War and have not been fully repaired. Additionally, there is a lack of proper sanitation facilities and access to clean water, contributing to poor living conditions. The housing shortage in East Karrada is also due to the influx of people moving to the area from other parts of Iraq, in search of better job opportunities and a higher standard of living. These factors combined make it difficult for many residents to find adequate housing and living conditions in East Karrada.
Economy
[edit]The area is home to several major oil and gas companies, as well as numerous construction companies working on projects throughout the region. Additionally, there are several petrochemical plants in the area that process and produce chemicals from natural gas. The district is distinguished by the presence of many shops, cafes, restaurants and shopping centers.
Karrada shares the peninsula with Al-Jadriya district.[7] It is a small district which lies at the southern tip of the peninsula, where the Tigris River makes its major turn and heads to the northeast.[7] Its significance comes from its quality of life, and its real estate is, along with Karrada, some of the most expensive in Baghdad.[7] The design and building of the University of Baghdad in 1958 also added to its value since the University has become one of the most important locations in the city, and its campus takes up the entire right half of the district.[7] The university campus was designed by Walter Gropius, AIA, Louis Mcmillen and Robert McMillan of The Architects Collaborative.[7] There is one subdistrict of the city: Babil, likely named for the Babylon Hotel that has its location in the district.[7]
Landmarks
[edit]Shopping malls
[edit]- Maximall — It is one of the first shopping malls opened in Baghdad.[8]
- A new hotel is under construction[9]
Others
[edit]Gallery
[edit]-
Dijlah Village -
Abu Nawas Street -
Karrada Harij
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "الكرادة.. حديقة بغداد الخلفية أصبحت الواجهة الأمامية للمسلحين". aawsat.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ "الگاردينيا - مجلة ثقافية عامة - بغداديات .. الكرادة الشرقية في الذاكرة". www.algardenia.com. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ "Car Bombs Kill Over a Dozen in Central Baghdad's Karrada Area". on.aol.com. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Hostages die in Iraq church siege". BBC News. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ “Contact Us Archived 15 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine.” Al-Naser Airlines. Retrieved on 13 February 2011. “Main Branch: Al-Karrada , Babil Region - Distrlct 929 [sic] - St21 - Home 46 - Beside Al Jadirya Private Hospital. […] Iraq- Baghdad.”
- ^ Hassan, Falih. "Bombings kill more than 120 in Bagdad". NYT. NYT.
- ^ a b c d e f Gowen, Annie (24 September 2011). "In postwar Iraq, housing is scarce and pricey". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "MUSINGS ON IRAQ: Malls In Iraq's Baghdad". MUSINGS ON IRAQ. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "New $60m 5-Star Hotel for Baghdad | Iraq Business News". 30 July 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ https://iraq2english.com/al-sard-opens-new-headquarters-in-karrada-baghdad/
- ^ https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221002-4-story-building-collapses-in-iraqs-baghdad/
33°18′N 44°26′E / 33.300°N 44.433°E
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