Residents of Wasit’s al-Kut City welcome evocative murals on COVID-19 prevention and human rights

Murals painted in al-Kut City, Wasit Governorate, reflecting the theme of Human Rights Day 2020 - ensuring human rights are central to the response to COVID-19 and recovery efforts – were welcomed by residents as a colourful and effective information campaign to raise awareness about the pandemic.

“Educating the public on how to protect human life is crucial. Sharing information on COVID-19 through murals can help save lives,” said local resident Sajjad Al Shemmery, a local journalist. The murals were painted using designs by artists from different communities and governorates across Iraq. A particularly evocative design depicting a health care worker as a winged angel is the creation of Valantina, an artist from Ninewa.

Other murals were painted using designs by “Graffitti Hasan” from Najaf, Aryan Abdel Rahman Mohamed from Halabja, and Hazhar Mohammad from Sulaymaniyah.

“Art is the easiest way to reach the public mind – including children. Access to health care is a human right,” said Hamza Majid Hamid Al Hachami, another local resident who heads the Aba'ad Association for Development Civil Society Organization.