DIWANIYAH’S HISTORIC GUESTHOUSE: Locals call for restoration, politicians fight about it

By Manar Al-Zubaidi in Diwaniyah

It once symbolized dialogue and community. But now the building known as the “Diwaniyah Guesthouse” is on the brink of ruin. Years of neglect mean that what was once a vibrant hub for tribal sheikhs and local officials is now partially collapsing.

The guesthouse was built on municipal land 32 years ago, primarily funded by local tribal leaders who envisioned it as a place for communal consultations and gatherings. The local government helped to complete and furnish the project, says Sami Hamid al-Aradi, the tribal leader who originally came up with the idea.

“In 1992, during a meeting with tribal leaders, the governor asked me to propose the building of a guesthouse for Diwaniyah,” al-Aradi explains. “The idea was well received, and despite some minor reservations, the majority supported it.”

When donations from the community fell short, the local government stepped in with additional funding. Before 2003, the guesthouse hosted important meetings mostly between local sheikhs and government officials. It was considered a significant venue, one that represented Diwaniyah’s tribal heritage and tradition of hospitality.

When it first opened, the administrators of the guesthouse even set aside one day a week during which citizens could come and meet local officials to discuss community issues.

After 2003 and the US-led invasion of Iraq that topped Dictator Sadam Hussein, the guesthouse began to be used less frequently. At one stage a non-governmental organization used it as its headquarters for around four years. But by 2015, it had largely been abandoned and no longer even had any security guards to prevent vandalism or looting.

Such a building actually needs continuous maintenance, says local civil engineer Radfan al-Ghanami. He estimates demolition and then reconstruction would cost around IQD500 million ($380,000), including work on the surrounding area.

“It was a low-cost construction with simple materials in the first place,” al-Ghanami pointed out. “Weather and neglect led to its further deterioration.”

Despite repeated appeals to past governors, no action has been taken to restore the guesthouse. Tribal leaders have urged that the historic guesthouse be either renovated or rebuilt in its original style.

The local Ministry of Interior now uses adjacent land for the Department of Tribal Affairs and employees simply work in small caravans. The director of the department, Maytham Muwajd al-Shaalan, says he is hopeful that the new governor of Diwaniyah may finally address this issue.

One local activist suspects the guesthouse has been neglected for political reasons.

“Some influential figures might want to seize the land because of its prime location,” Abdul Amir Aziz suggests. Or it may be that the building’s history — and association with the former regime — could be deterring officials from restoration.

“This neglect could also simply be part of a broader disregard for provincial landmarks. Diwaniyah and its guesthouse need a hero to rescue them from this neglect,” he argued.

The province appears to have available funds, but its administration is stressed by political conflicts. In 2019, provincial council elections were stalled and now two political blocs are competing for power here. Each one claims to fight corruption. In response, Diwaniyah residents have taken to social media, with the hashtag, #Diwaniyah_Disaster.

It seems the historic guesthouse is just another victim of that.