Radio Diwaniyah saved from demolition as part of city development project

DIWANIYAH — Radio Diwaniyah, the city’s oldest and most significant radio station, has been spared from a government-ordered demolition that was part of a larger development project aimed at creating an entertainment site in the area. Despite the removal of surrounding shops and open spaces, the investor behind the project has opted to preserve the station’s historic building.

The investor has designated a space within the development specifically for Radio Diwaniyah, which includes studios, a guest room, and a small garden. This decision ensures that the station will remain at its current location for the next 25 years, the full duration of the investment.

Issa Al-Kaabi, director of Radio Diwaniyah, explained to 964media that the investor acquired the area with all necessary legal approvals and proceeded with clearing the surrounding shops and spaces. “The investor halted the station’s demolition and set aside space for studios, a guest room, and a small garden,” Al-Kaabi said. “He assured us that the investment would last for 25 years and that the station would stay in place during this period.”

The CEO of Al-Bushra Company, which is leading the development, confirmed that all legal approvals for the project were secured but emphasized the importance of preserving Radio Diwaniyah as a crucial part of the city’s heritage. “We demand a reversal of the government’s demolition decision because the station embodies the memories and events of the city over the past 20 years,” the CEO stated.

Ahmed Al-Shibani, head of the Diwaniyah Journalists Syndicate, highlighted the station’s significance, noting that it was established in 2004 as a gift from U.S. forces and has since played a vital role in covering local events. “We are seeking an alternative for the station and are in talks with government authorities to find a new location to maintain its premises and operations,” Al-Shibani said.

The U.S. presence in Iraq, which began in 2003 with the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime, included military operations and extended efforts in stabilization and reconstruction. Radio Diwaniyah, a product of that era, has since become an integral voice in the city, documenting its evolution over the past two decades.