Controversy erupted within Iraqi public circles following the decision by Babel Governor Hassan Al-Mandil to cancel singing events at the International Babel Festival, scheduled to begin on Thursday and extend for several days. Several stars, including Kuwaiti artist Shams and Iraqi singer Shatha Hassoon, had arrived in the capital, Baghdad, in anticipation of attending the festival.
In a surprising move, Governor Hassan Al-Mandil ordered the cancellation of musical performances at the Babel Festival, citing pressure from religious groups. Activists on social media shared a document directing the Babel Festival’s higher committee and its sponsoring companies to cancel the musical segments, responding to requests and appeals from "students of religious sciences and social figures."
**No Authority for Local Government**
Ahmed Al-Rubaie, the director of the International Babel Festival, stated that "no one will be able to obstruct the festival’s events." He further commented that "there have been threats from several social groups and students of religious sciences reaching the governor to block access to the archaeological site if musical performances proceeded, given that Babel is the city of Imam Hasan." He noted that the requests were based on the sanctity associated with the province and its religious shrines.
Al-Rubaie explained that the governor issued his directive as a way to evade responsibility and as a routine action in response to a specific segment of society, emphasizing that "the sponsoring international and global entities responsible for the festival rejected this categorically." The festival’s director clarified that "international entities deemed that local government has no authority over the festival, which is taking place at a site internationally recognized as a heritage site. No party can take actions that damage the reputation of the archaeological city or contradict the international decision to include it on the world heritage list."
He affirmed that if the artists, musicians, and international and Arab bands faced such a cancellation, it would lead to a catastrophe for the festival, especially after the large turnout Babel had witnessed in the past days, alongside the preparations, schedules, and commitments made with production and engineering companies.
**Diverse Activities**
The festival activities include the participation of Arab and Iraqi artists, as well as international and local folk bands, in addition to fashion shows, music performances, free painting, paragliding, ballooning, and traditional Arab and Kurdish dances, along with various cultural, literary, and artistic events.
The International Babel Festival was held for the first time in the archaeological city’s amphitheater in 1987; however, it ceased after 2003 due to the American war and the resulting security deterioration. The festival is expected to feature various local musical groups over its five days, including the "Al-Khashaba Al-Basriyah," the Kurdish band, and the Al-Ramadi Al-Joubi band.
On the Arab front, bands from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria will participate in multiple performances. Additionally, the Turkish folklore band, a Russian band, and an Indian band will perform during the Babel Festival, alongside the Spanish flamenco group.
Civil and social activities in Iraq constantly face opposition from groups claiming to represent the religious community or the atmosphere of religious seminaries, however, recognized religious figures do not oppose such gatherings. Activists and bloggers have rejected this trend, viewing it as an attempt to impose a religious character on historical cities.
Iraqi activist Wathiq Al-Miyahi stated that "the objections raised by these groups do not relate to religion, but rather stem from a concern over the growing openness in Iraq towards Arab communities, ongoing partnerships, and frequent visits by officials from neighboring countries to Iraq—elements that contradict their agenda aimed at isolating Iraq from the Arab and international community."
Al-Miyahi added to "Sky News Arabia" that "the authentic Iraqi society does not oppose these activities; rather, we see some unknown figures expressing objections to all activities organized by the Ministry of Culture, including cinema and theater events."
Notable participants expected to perform include stars Nawal Al-Zoghbi, Salah Hassan, Maher Ahmed, along with Hatim Al-Iraqi, Rahma Riad, Hussam Al-Rassam, and others.
