Iraqi Musician Yousif Abbas Leaves a Musical Imprint on a Global Television Epic

In a landmark achievement for Iraqi art, renowned composer Yousif Abbas has captured international attention through his distinguished contribution to the high-profile American series Debriefing the President. The production, inspired by the memoirs of U.S. intelligence officer John Nixon, is helmed by global media titan Leslie Greif, co-founder of Warner Bros.
Hailed as one of the most significant American television productions of the year, the series boasts a full original score composed by Abbas, an unprecedented feat marking the first time an Iraqi musician has been entrusted with scoring a Hollywood project of such caliber.
Abbas's involvement, however, transcended the realm of composition. He was a constant presence on set, meticulously translating scripts into authentic Iraqi Arabic, coaching both American and international actors in the dialect, and even appearing in select scenes. His responsibilities further extended to supervising the dubbing and recording of dialogue in the local vernacular, as well as ensuring the cultural authenticity of all scenes set in Iraq.
Notably, Yousif Abbas is no stranger to the world of dramatic composition; his previous work includes musical scores for acclaimed Iraqi series such as Watan and Al-Naqeeb, among others.

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Iraqi News

a day ago

• Iraqi News

US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty in UK assault case

London – American R&B singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty in a UK court to a charge stemming from an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023. Brown, 36, wearing a dark suit and tie as well as glasses, stood in the dock in London as the charge was put to him, replying: 'Not guilty, ma'am.' The singer, who is on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, waved to people in the public gallery as he left, following his plea to allegedly attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. A five to seven-day long trial was scheduled to start on October 26, 2026. The singer was held in custody for a nearly a week in May after he was arrested in the northwestern city of Manchester. He was later released on bail. Under the terms of his bail, he will forfeit the £5 million guarantee if he fails to return for court proceedings. He was also given the go-ahead to continue his scheduled international tour which began on June 8 in Amsterdam. The star, who had a troubled relationship with Barbadian singer Rihanna, is on the UK leg of his tour, with his next date in London on Saturday. Brown is charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an assault in which the victim was allegedly struck several times with a bottle before being pursued, punched and kicked. The alleged incident took place at a nightclub in Hanover Square in London on February 19, 2023 while Brown was touring in the UK. – Grammy winner – Police detained him in the early hours of May 13 at a five-star hotel in Manchester after he reportedly flew in by private jet. Other bail terms include that he should surrender his passport if he is not travelling. He is also required to live at a specific address known to the court and is not permitted to visit the nightclub were the alleged assault took place or contact the alleged victim, Abraham Diah. He appeared in the dock with co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a US national, with whom he is jointly charged. Akinlolu also entered a not guilty plea to the same charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Both men are also jointly charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They will enter pleas to that charge on July 11, the court was told. Brown also faces a third charge of having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in public. The Grammy-winning singer is known for mid-2000s hits such as 'Kiss, Kiss'. He rose from a local church choir in Virginia to sudden fame with his rich R&B voice and later rap, but his reputation has been tarnished by the allegations of abuse. He also are also scheduled to perform in France, Portugal and the US later in the year, before the tour wraps up in Memphis in mid-October.

Shafaq News

10-06-2025

• Shafaq News

The Abaya: How a dress code debate exposes Iraq's deeper fault lines

Shafaq News/ A recent administrative decision by the Baghdad Provincial Council, aiming to officially recognize the "Zaynabiyya Abaya" as an acceptable dress code within state institutions, has unexpectedly ignited a widespread and heated debate across Iraqi social media. What might, at first glance, appear to be a mundane local policy pronouncement, has swiftly escalated into a telling microcosm of Iraq's intricate struggles with identity, religious influence, individual freedoms, and the enduring shadow of political opportunism. Zaynabiyya Abaya: A Garment Steeped in Meaning The defining characteristics of the Zaynabiyya Abaya set it apart as one of the most conservative and encompassing forms of Islamic dress. Designed for ultimate modesty, it is notably loose-fitting and voluminous, intended to shroud the entire body. Its wide cut ensures that the wearer's figure and bodily contours remain completely concealed, a central tenet of its design. The vast majority of Zaynabiyya Abayas are black, a deliberate choice of color that serves to minimize visual distraction and avoid drawing undue attention to the wearer, thereby reinforcing the principle of modesty. Unlike many modern abayas that incorporate intricate embellishments, vibrant colors, or contemporary cuts, the Zaynabiyya Abaya is characteristically devoid of ostentatious decorations, elaborate embroidery, or flashy patterns. It is typically an open-front garment worn over regular clothes, with relatively narrow sleeve openings designed to prevent the arms from being exposed; this minimalist approach ensures that the garment itself does not become a source of attraction or adornment. At its essence, the Zaynabiyya Abaya is viewed by its adherents as the quintessential manifestation of Islamic dress principles, prioritizing chastity, humility, and the complete spiritual and physical veiling of the woman, serving as a tangible form of emulation of the revered women of the Prophet's household. While traditional abayas have been a staple of dress in Iraq and the Levant for centuries, the concept of the "Zaynabiyya Abaya" evolved to represent the pinnacle of modesty and traditional Islamic covering. It is not exclusively an Iraqi garment; its widespread adoption can be observed across many Muslim-majority nations, though its prominence varies. In countries like Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Egypt, parts of East Africa, Syria, and Turkiye, it is a commonly accepted, and often dominant, form of female dress. In other societies, such as Lebanon, parts of Central Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia, it is more specifically worn by a significant segment of the population recognized for its religious commitment and piety. Baghdad's Provocative Resolution The Baghdad Provincial Council's recent vote on June 4, to officially sanction the Zaynabiyya Abaya as part of the formal dress code within the capital's state institutions was championed by Huda Jalil Al-Aboudah, who chairs the Environment Committee within the council and is affiliated with the politically influential Al-Hikma (Wisdom) Movement, led by Ammar al-Hakim. Al-Aboudah explicitly stated that the decision aims to "enhance respect, dignity, and modesty," particularly within examination halls. The announcement immediately triggered widespread confusion and, subsequently, a torrent of backlash. The initial public perception was that the Council was mandating the abaya for all women in official settings, including those who do not typically wear a headscarf (non-hijabis) or women belonging to other faiths. This misinterpretation, whether accidental or by design, ignited a fierce debate, forcing Al-Aboudah to issue a swift and defensive clarification. She categorically stated that the decision was not an imposition and did not apply to women who do not wear the hijab or individuals of other religious affiliations. Instead, she insisted it merely granted official recognition to the Zaynabiyya Abaya, thereby validating it as a formal dress option for women who choose to wear it, aligning it with their "identity and Islamic culture." Despite the clarification, Al-Aboudah's subsequent remarks only added fuel to the fire. She revealed her ambition to "submit a request to the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, and members of the House of Representatives to generalize the decision across all of Iraq, to preserve and protect the dignity of Iraqi women." This aspiration to expand a provincial decision nationwide further amplified concerns about the potential for future, more widespread impositions. Curiously, she also preemptively denied any electoral motivations, asserting she would not be participating in upcoming elections – a denial that, for many, only underscored the political nature of her initiative. It is crucial to emphasize that, unlike some other countries in the region, Iraq does not currently have a general, legally enforced hijab mandate. While wearing a headscarf or abaya is deeply ingrained in Iraqi culture and widely accepted, it remains, legally speaking, an individual choice. The Iraqi government does not impose it as a prerequisite for educational enrollment, employment, or participation in public life. This fundamental context makes the Council's decision, even with its subsequent clarifications, appear perplexing and, to some, an unnecessary intervention in personal freedoms. Legal Quagmire and the Chasm of Interpretation The legal validity and implications of the Baghdad Provincial Council's decision have exposed a significant schism among legal experts, reflecting broader ambiguities within Iraq's legal framework regarding religious and personal freedoms. Ali Al-Tamimi, a prominent legal expert, has voiced support for the decision from an administrative standpoint. He argues that the decision is "correct and without fault" because Islam is enshrined as the official religion of Iraq. From his perspective, the resolution aligns with the constitutional principle of freedom of dress, as it permits rather than mandates the wearing of the abaya during official duty. This, he asserts, implies that other women retain the freedom to wear different forms of attire. Al-Tamimi further bolsters his argument by referencing Article 11 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which generally allows individuals to choose their clothing, provided it does not violate public order (laws) or public morals (prevailing customs, values, and ideals). His interpretation leans on the idea that by formalizing an existing practice, the council is not restricting freedom but acknowledging a cultural and religious choice within a predominantly Muslim society. However, Mohammed Jumaa, another legal expert, offers a starkly contrasting view, dismissing the decision as "legally meaningless." Jumaa contends that there is no existing law that prescribes an official uniform for Baghdad province or any other Iraqi province. Furthermore, he emphasizes that there has never been any legal prohibition against wearing the abaya in any public or private sector setting across Iraq. He points out that numerous women already hold high-ranking governmental positions, such as deputy ministers or general directors, and perform their duties while wearing the Islamic abaya, which is undeniably "part of Iraqi culture." For Jumaa, the council's decision is redundant at best, potentially an overreach of authority, and serves no practical legal purpose, as the freedom to wear the abaya already existed without this decree. Political Maneuvering and Misplaced Priorities Beyond the legal debate, the timing and nature of the abaya decision have triggered deep skepticism among a significant segment of the Iraqi public, particularly students, activists, and those weary of political posturing. Athraa Hazem, a university student in Baghdad, who herself wears the abaya daily, attests that its wear is widely accepted on campus and that she has never faced harassment due to it. Yet, she observes that the sudden "timing of this decision and the surge of interest from officials coincide with elections, therefore it might carry a clear political agenda." This sentiment is echoed by Alia Al-Hathal, a prominent lawyer and activist, who states unequivocally that "there is no objection to the abaya decision," as it's already a common sight in markets, universities, and government offices. However, she asserts that "some are exploiting this decision due to the proximity of elections." Al-Hathal's critique extends beyond mere timing to question the fundamental priorities of the Baghdad Provincial Council, particularly the role of Al-Aboudah, the head of the Environment Committee. Al-Hathal powerfully argues that a committee tasked with environmental oversight should be focused on the urgent, visible, and life-threatening crises plaguing Baghdad: rampant waste accumulation, severe water pollution in the Tigris River, and the resulting surge in diseases. For Al-Hathal, prioritizing a symbolic dress code, especially one that was not previously prohibited, is a glaring example of misplaced priorities and a thinly veiled attempt at "self-promotion" ahead of elections. She also draws a sharp parallel to past instances where lawmakers introduced controversial social legislation (such as personal status laws) that critics viewed as electoral ploys, suggesting that Al-Aboudah might be attempting to replicate such a strategy. Furthermore, Al-Hathal raises serious allegations about the initial intent behind the resolution, claiming that the decision's original wording or underlying aim might have been to mandate or impose the abaya. According to her, it was only after the fierce public backlash that Al-Aboudah "changed the concept," clarifying that it was merely about "not preventing" those who choose to wear the abaya. Al-Hathal dismisses this clarification as "unconvincing," given that no such prohibition ever existed in the first place, citing examples of abaya-wearing women freely attending universities and even appearing in graduation photos. Human Rights, Modesty, and Progress The most profound and unyielding opposition to the Baghdad Council's decision comes from human rights activists who view it as a fundamental assault on individual liberties and a dangerous regression for women's rights in Iraq. Lina Ali, a prominent activist, offers a scathing condemnation, asserting that the "abaya decision is oppressive and has no connection to human rights, especially for women." She goes as far as to state, "We have not seen such decisions even in the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah)," drawing a provocative parallel to pre-Islamic tribal societies. Her critique stems from a belief that while societies evolve and human progress is constant, there persists a harmful tendency to view women as mere "commodities" whose attire can be controlled without legitimate justification, despite the absence of religious or customary compulsion. Ali contends that such decisions inherently create an "atmosphere of oppression and self-flagellation" for women, fostering an unhealthy and regressive environment. She fundamentally challenges the notion that this decision is about "modesty," arguing that true modesty "is not compulsory" and cannot be legislated through clothing. Instead, she passionately defines modesty as an inherent quality of character, encompassing the "modesty of the tongue, mind, logic, and morals." In a powerful concluding statement, Ali emphasizes the urgent need for Iraqi officials to shift their focus from superficial debates to the pressing realities confronting the nation. She implores them to instead "issue decisions that uplift the country's deteriorating reality and protect its wealth from theft," arguing that these are far more critical than "occupying the public with women's attire."

Iraqi News

05-06-2025

• Iraqi News

Nour Al-Waili's debut solo exhibition Number 9 opens at French Institute in Baghdad

Baghdad ( – The French Institute in Iraq – Baghdad is currently hosting Number 9 (الرقم ٩), the first solo exhibition by promising Iraqi visual artist Nour Al-Waili. The exhibition opened on May 22, 2025, and will run for two weeks, offering a unique window into the artist's creative evolution. Number 9 invites visitors to explore Al-Waili's artistic journey through nine distinct paintings and nine intricate collage works. These pieces are said to reflect a decade of her personal and creative development, presenting the world through her honest, spontaneous, realistic, and unfiltered perspective. The French Institute in Iraq – Baghdad, known for promoting French culture and fostering Franco-Iraqi artistic exchange, provides a prestigious platform for Al-Waili's debut. The exhibition's opening was notably attended by the French Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms. Isabelle Rome, highlighting its cultural significance.