Baghdad: Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, affirmed that recovering smuggled or lost Iraqi artworks is a top priority for the Ministry, describing these works as a priceless “national treasure.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during an official ceremony to receive three valuable museum paintings recently recovered, belonging to Iraqi artists Saad Al-Taie, Atta Sabri, and Nizar Al-Hindawi, the Minister praised the tireless efforts made by the ministry, represented by the General Arts Department, to recover more artworks that are an integral part of Iraq’s cultural and artistic identity.

Al-Badrani called on Iraqis residing abroad to cooperate with the ministry and report any artwork suspected of belonging to the state, stressing the government’s readiness to purchase or recover it by all possible means.