Ibrahim, Daniah

Foreigners Living in Baghdad

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Major: Chemistry

Minor: Biology

Senior, College of Science and Health

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Abstract

The city of Baghdad has changed dramatically from the era of the Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations to 2020. With these changes come various foreigners’ perspectives towards the city. Drawing on multiple sources and memoirs, three short fictional narratives were written to depict the perspective of foreigners who lived in Baghdad: a narrative of a British soldier in Baghdad in 1922 following the fall of the ottoman empire, of another British soldier in 1935 following Baghdad’s independence from Britain, and an American soldier in 2005 living in Baghdad following the 2003 war. Accounts of these soldiers’ experiences from interactions in coffee shops and bazaars to political events describe their perspective towards life and culture in Baghdad and show elements of appreciation as well as tones of superiority and orientalism towards the city.

Course: HON 301, Junior Seminar in Multiculturalism

Crossing Borders, Identity and Nation

Professor: Dr. Carolyn Goffman

English Department