For fifty years, citizen Tahir Ali Abdulrahim has quietly preserved the history of Kurdish life and culture through a vast personal collection of antiquities housed in his own home. What began as a passion project has become a living museum, attracting daily visitors and serving as a cultural archive for the region.
Abdulrahim, a resident of Halabja, has gathered an impressive variety of artifacts over five decades, including ancient weapons, currency, traditional household items, communication devices, and regional clothing. His collection tells the story of multiple generations and reflects both the beauty and hardship of Kurdish history.
“Everything is in my museum—there is nothing left that I would want to add,” Abdulrahim said. “They all tell the story of different eras, and bring back many pleasant and painful memories.”
His house, transformed into a museum, sits on a large plot of land. Inside the main hall, visitors can find over forty types of weapons, including swords and daggers, along with prayer beads, copper utensils, and handwoven carpets. One of the standout items is an early telephone set from 1942, believed to be from the time telecommunication first reached Halabja.
Locals and tourists alike visit the home regularly, often taking commemorative photos with the artifacts. Abdulrahim now hopes that the government will step in to support his efforts, expand the space, and ensure the preservation of these invaluable cultural treasures for future generations.
