A Collective Opening Ceremony Was Held for TİKA’s Projects in Iraq

A collective opening ceremony was held for the projects “Restoration of the Tomb of Daniel,” “Construction of the Citadel Park and Recreational Area,” and “Renovation of the Cemetery for Ottoman Military Officers,” which were completed by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) at the Kirkuk Citadel.

The collective opening ceremony held for these projects, which were completed in 2021, was attended by Ali Rıza Güney, Turkey’s Ambassador to Baghdad; Rakan Saeed al-Juboori, Governor of Kirkuk; Hasan Turan, Chairman of the ITF; Mohammed Al-Ubaidi; Director of Antiquities in Kirkuk; officials from TİKA’s Baghdad Office; local politicians; and local people.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mustafa Yazıcı, TİKA’s Coordinator in Baghdad, stated that a major step was taken for the preservation of our common cultural heritage in Kirkuk, and said that he was pleased with the projects. Yazıcı noted that the projects “Restoration of the Tomb of Daniel,” “Construction of the Citadel Park and Recreational Area,” and “Renovation of the Cemetery for Ottoman Military Officers” were carried out simultaneously, and that the cemetery and the tomb were renovated under the supervision and with the approval of the Directorate of Antiquities in Kirkuk.

Yazıcı said that the Tomb of Daniel and the Cemetery for Ottoman Military Officers were maintained and renovated faithfully. He stated that these three projects, which complement each other, would contribute greatly to the promotion and preservation of the Kirkuk Citadel. He added that the entrance to these two sites was designed as a park and recreational area. Yazıcı underlined that TİKA’s projects would continue in Kirkuk in 2022.

Speaking to members of the press, Ali Rıza Güney, Turkey’s Ambassador to Baghdad, stated that they were proud of TİKA for completing the restoration and renovation of the Tomb of Daniel and the Cemetery for Ottoman Military Officers at the historical Kirkuk Citadel. He said, “We are ready to provide all kinds of support all around Iraq, especially in Kirkuk. Our only goal is to keep our cultural heritage alive.”

Located at the Kirkuk Citadel, the Tomb of Daniel and the Cemetery for Ottoman Military Officers, which is located in the courtyard of the tomb, are known as the spiritual sites most visited by Kirkuk Turkmens. The complete renovation of the area by TİKA, along with the construction of the park, is considered an important step for the preservation of the Kirkuk Citadel.