Statue for scholar Mahfodh in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Local officials in Baghdad on Thursday announced that it embarked on building a memorial in the city to in remembrance of the deceased Iraqi scholar Hussein Ali Mahfodh, according to a release issued by the Baghdad Mayoralty. “Baghdad Mayor Sabir al-Issawi held meetings and discussions with a number of officials, experts and engineers to reach a final formula regarding the statue that should be up to a scholar in the rank of Mahfodh,” read the release that was received by IraqiNews.com news agency . “An initial agreement has been reached that the statue would be placed at al-Salam Park at the entry of al-Kadhimiya city, with an alternative position inside the Baghdad Museum,” it added . Last week, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani expressed condolences over the death of Mahfodh. “With the death of Mahfodh, Iraq has lost a creative figure,” according to a presidential release quoting Talabani as saying, adding “Mahfodh was, and will remain, an important pillar of art and culture in Iraq”. Mahfodh had been suffering from an illness for a week before he died on Monday night (Jan. 19). Born in 1926, Mahfodh was specialized in eastern languages. He has authored many books and made cultural contributions. MH (P)/AmR 1