AGP Executive Report

Heritage & Folk Arts: Khanaqin hosted its first date and folk arts festival, while “Son of Sumer” brought cuneiform back to life at the Babil Festival. Culture Policy: Iraq’s parliament is set to consider separating the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities into two ministries as part of cabinet changes. Football: Al-Shorta beat India’s East Bengal 3–2 in the Asian Champions League 2 after twice falling behind. Boxing: Iraqi-American Jonny Mansour extended his unbeaten professional record to 9–0 with a unanimous-decision win in California.

Football: Baghdad’s Al-Shorta came from behind to beat India’s East Bengal 3–2 in the AFC Champions League Two, after East Bengal led twice. Folk Arts: Khanaqin hosted its first date and folk arts festival, celebrating local traditions. Heritage: “Son of Sumer” brought cuneiform back into focus at the Babil Festival, reviving Iraq’s ancient script. Sport: Funding shortfalls are putting Iraq’s preparations to host the Asian Archery Championship at risk.

Culture Ministry: Zaid Ali is among the names being considered for Iraq’s culture minister, as parliament prepares to vote Thursday on vacant and newly created cabinet posts. Negotiations are ongoing. Football: Baghdad’s Al-Shorta beat India’s East Bengal 3-2 in the Asian Champions League 2, despite twice falling behind. Folk Arts: Khanaqin hosted its first date and folk arts festival, celebrating local traditions. Heritage: “Son of Sumer” revived cuneiform script at the Babil Festival, bringing Iraq’s ancient writing back into the cultural spotlight.

Football: Baghdad’s Al-Shorta face India’s East Bengal in the AFC Champions League Two on Tuesday, with both sides chasing a boost to their knockout hopes. Folk Arts: Khanaqin’s first Date and Folk Arts Festival brought together growers, artisans and artists, showcasing more than 270 date varieties and work inspired by the city’s landscapes and heritage. Theatre: Iraq’s Firqat Turkman Drama El Masrah will represent the country at Algeria’s Bejaia International Theater Festival, competing with its play “03:03 Clock.” Heritage: At Babil Festival, “Son of Sumer” is reviving the ancient cuneiform script.

Folk Arts: Khanaqin’s first Date and Folk Arts Festival brought together farmers, artisans and artists for three days by the Alwand River. About 80 artists painted local landscapes, while exhibitors showcased more than 270 date varieties and traditional crafts. Ancient Heritage: At the Babil Festival, “Son of Sumer” revived the cuneiform script, drawing fresh attention to Iraq’s ancient writing tradition. Sport: Iraq’s archery federation says a funding shortfall threatens preparations for the Asian Championships in Sulaymaniyah, scheduled for October 24–29, with 19 countries expected.

Iraqi Fashion: Designer Hazem Kais won the Special Jury Prize at the Arab Fashion Awards in Paris, where 34 finalists from across the region were celebrated. Media: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission has barred analyst Najah Mohammed Ali from appearing on or receiving coverage from media outlets operating in Iraq for one year, citing a court notice that says he is wanted by the judiciary. The commission did not disclose the charges.

Media: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission barred analyst Najah Mohammed Ali Askar from appearing on local and foreign outlets operating in Iraq for a year, citing a court notice that he had not appeared before the judiciary; the commission did not specify the charges. Football: Iraq’s U-17 women lost 4-0 to Malaysia in Asian Cup qualifying, after Malaysia had also beaten Iraq 4-0 earlier in the group. Poetry: A recent feature explored how Iraqi poet Hameed Saeed’s work transforms language and carries cultural heritage. Erbil: Rwanga completed renovations at Peshmerga Park, adding to the city’s public leisure spaces.

Erbil Public Spaces: Rwanga has completed renovations at Peshmerga Park, refreshing a popular community space. Kurdish Culture: Saqqez is preparing to host an international Kurdish horse festival, celebrating a tradition with strong cross-border ties. Iraqi Literature: A new study examines how poet Hameed Saeed weaves heritage into his language. Football: Iraq is reportedly closing in on a new national-team coach, while midfielder Zidane Iqbal’s goal for Dundee United drew attention in Scotland.

Iraqi Football: The Iraq Football Association plans to add an Iraqi assistant coach to Graham Arnold’s staff as the Lions of Mesopotamia regroup after their Gulf Cup exit and prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup. Mesopotamian Myth: “Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream,” a work drawing on the ancient epic, opened the HACC 2026 program in Cape Town. Iraqi Poetry: A new study examines how poet Hameed Saeed’s language transforms and carries cultural heritage.

National Team: Iraq are set to add a local assistant coach to Graham Arnold’s staff as the Lions of Mesopotamia regroup for the 2027 Asian Cup after an early Gulf Cup exit. Erbil Community: Rwanga has completed renovations at Peshmerga Park, adding a local public-space story to the week’s cultural news. Arab Cinema: Nine Arab films are in the race for an Oscar, spotlighting the region’s filmmakers ahead of the awards. Youth Football: Iraq’s under-17 women suffered a 14–0 defeat to India in Asian Cup qualifying.

Iraqi Art Abroad: Christie’s has added highlights to its first Abu Dhabi fine-art auction, including Iraqi artist Faisel Laibi Sahi’s Baghdad Café, a lively 2016 painting of everyday life estimated at $400,000–$600,000. Local Heritage: Khanaqin is preparing its inaugural date and folk-arts festival, bringing traditional culture into focus. Poetry: A new look at Hameed Saeed’s work explores how language and heritage shape the Iraqi poet’s verse. Football: Tickets are on sale for the U-17 Gulf Cup in Qatar, where Iraq joins nine teams; matches begin October 16.

Digital Archives: Decades-old footage from a 2004 Iraq deployment is finding new life on TikTok, reconnecting a US veteran with former comrades and drawing messages from viewers in Iraq. Literature & Performance: “Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream” opened HACC 2026 in Cape Town, while a study of Iraqi poet Hameed Saeed explores how language carries heritage. Local Culture: Khanaqin is preparing its inaugural date and folk-arts festival. Youth Football: India’s U17 women beat Iraq 14-0 in Asian Cup qualifying, with Anushka Kumari scoring five.

Calligraphy: Iraqi artist Farhad Yassin won the Grand Award at Sharjah’s 12th Calligraphy Biennale for “Surah Ar-Rahman.” Fellow Iraqi Mahfouz Dhannoun also received an award for “Ayat al-Kursi and Qasidat al-Burda.” Cultural Exchange: Iraq is among roughly 150 countries expected at Karachi’s World Culture Festival, running October 29 to November 22, with performances by more than 1,500 international and Pakistani artists. Arab Cinema: Arab films have entered the race for the 99th Academy Awards’ International Feature category, with this year’s selections exploring themes including family, migration, conflict and work.

Calligraphy: Iraqi artist Farhad Yassin won the Grand Award at Sharjah’s 12th Calligraphy Biennale for “Surah Ar-Rahman.” Iraqi calligrapher Mahfouz Dhannoun also received an award for works featuring “Ayat al-Kursi” and “Qasidat al-Burda.” Iraqi Football: Midfielder Zidane Iqbal’s goal for Iraq against Kuwait sparked a post-match clash. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin praised Iqbal’s talent and said he was focused on helping him develop at the club. Music and Heritage: Kiwi-Kurdish singer Nouri, whose family fled Iraq’s Kurdistan region, will release a refugee-supporting version of “Silent Night” on November 5, reimagined as a lullaby. Folk Arts: Khanaqin is preparing to host its first date and folk-arts festival, celebrating local traditions.

Iraqi Poetry: A new study by Hani Ali Al-Hindi explores poet Hameed Saeed’s distinctive language, tracing how heritage, war, exile and everyday speech shaped his work. Iraqi Cinema: Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji’s Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream will open the Hollywood African Cinema Connection in Cape Town on Oct. 30. The film follows two orphaned boys in Baghdad and uses the Tigris to evoke memory, belonging and hope.

Iraq’s Oil & Regional Trade: Chinese independent refiners are boosting purchases of Iraqi and Qatari crude for October–November, with traders citing demand for non-sanctioned Gulf supply as Hormuz-linked exports recover. Politics & Sovereignty: Iraq’s PM says an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of Turkish troops, while Baghdad also probes the trampling of a U.S. flag by Iran-backed militias after the U.S. exit. Security Update: Iraqi forces report arrest of a suspected ISIS leader in Kirkuk amid ongoing clashes. Arts & Culture: Breach Festival returns for its fifth edition in Nicosia, spotlighting improvisation and contemporary music-making across two nights. Sports: Saudi Arabia won the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, beating the UAE 2-0, with Iraq finishing in the group stage after losses to Saudi. Media & Film: Award-winning veteran documentary Sum Function heads to the San Diego International Film Festival with screenings Oct. 15–16.