The Iraqi Private Banks League, in coordination with the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Culture, Mayoralty of Baghdad, and Baghdad Governorate, inaugurated a statue of the Iraqi poet , Nazik Al-Malaika, on recently rehabilitated Al-Saray street.

The unveiling is part of the "Baghdad Downtown" initiative, under the patronage of Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the supervision of the Iraqi Private Banks League and the Mayoralty of Baghdad.

The Community Initiatives Fund "Tamkeen", funded by private banks and supervised by the Iraqi Private Banks League, responded to the Prime Minister's call to erect a statue of the poet, Nazik Al-Malaika, and commissioned the Iraqi sculptor Fadhel Messer to bring it to fruition.

Wadee Al-Handel, Chairman of the Iraqi Private Banks League, stated that in response to the invitation of Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, which was launched on May 25, 2023, the "Tamkeen" Fund, under the league's supervision, financed the creative artist and sculptor, Fadhel Messer, to create a statue honoring the distinguished poet, Nazik Al-Malaika, on the centenary of her birth. "Today, we inaugurate this remarkable monument on Al-Saray Street, which has been rehabilitated as part of the 'Baghdad Downtown' initiative," he noted.

Al-Handel emphasized that erecting this statue is not merely a tribute to Nazik Al-Malaika as a distinguished poet but also delivers a profound message underscoring Iraq's dedication to its creators and its commitment to celebrating their cultural legacy.

Separately, Cultural Advisor to the Prime Minister and Director General of the Cultural Affairs Department, Arif Al-Saadi, remarked that the occasion marks a historic milestone, as the statue represents the first public tribute to a female Iraqi poet. He underscored the event as a testament to Iraq’s renewed commitment to cultural and artistic innovation.