Iraq’s shoemakers revive their ancient craft | Business and Economy

Within the slim alleys of Previous Mosul, as soon as the proud coronary heart of Iraq’s shoemaking trade, the workshops are coming alive once more.

After years of battle and destruction, artisans like 58-year-old Saad Abdul Aal are reviving a practice that dates again greater than 1,000 years.

Shoemaking in Iraq, referred to as al-qandarjiya, flourished through the Abbasid Caliphate, when Baghdad was a worldwide hub of commerce and tradition.

Generations of households devoted their lives to reworking rawhide into sturdy footwear, their expertise handed down from grasp to apprentice.

Earlier than the struggle, the capital metropolis of Baghdad had greater than 250 factories, whereas Mosul boasted over 50. Iraqi-made footwear have been prized for his or her magnificence and resilience – a logo of nationwide satisfaction.

“Our work started greater than 40 years in the past,” says Abdul Aal, his fingers fast and regular as he trims a bit of leather-based. “I realized the occupation, fell in love with it, and by no means left it.”

That proud custom practically disappeared in 2014, when ISIL (ISIS) seized Mosul. Workshops and factories have been bombed, looted, or deserted.

Abdul Aal misplaced all the things – his tools, his store, his staff. “Bombings, destruction,” he recollects. “There was no cash even to think about beginning once more.”

By the top of the struggle, Mosul’s 50 factories had dwindled to fewer than 10. 1000’s of shoemakers have been left unemployed, their expertise prone to vanishing.

The turning level got here with the Worldwide Group for Migration’s (IOM’s) Enterprise Improvement Fund-Tameer, which supplied grants and coaching to displaced entrepreneurs and returnees.

For Abdul Aal, this was a chance to purchase stitching and urgent machines, reopen his workshop, and rent employees.

“It’s not straightforward, however little by little we’re shifting ahead,” he says.

At this time, Abdul Aal produces about 4 pairs of footwear a day – fewer than earlier than, however sufficient to maintain his enterprise alive. Competitors from low-cost imports is fierce, however he insists Iraqi craftsmanship nonetheless has an edge.

“Our footwear are real leather-based; they final. Imported footwear might seem visually interesting, however they lack high quality.

“In distinction, the footwear produced in my manufacturing facility are visually much like imported footwear however provide superior high quality.

“That’s what makes us proud.”