Resilient Mosul woman rebuilds life with women’s clothing store in Zanjili

MOSUL — Sura Jasem, a resident of Mosul’s Zanjili area, lost her hand to a stray rocket during the liberation of the city from Islamic State militants in 2017 but has since overcome the challenges to support her family.

Today, she runs a women’s clothing store named “Tuta Center”, located across from Al-Qawarir Pharmacy, where she meets a growing demand for a space that caters specifically to women, free from the discomfort of mixed-gender interactions common in clothing markets, she explained to 964media.

Following the death of her husband, Sura became the sole provider for her three children. Despite the physical limitations and financial pressures, she launched her clothing business, offering carefully chosen items at affordable prices to appeal to local tastes and budgets. Her approach has cultivated a loyal customer base that continues to expand.

“I lost my hand when a rocket struck in the old city,” she said, “and while it’s extremely difficult for any woman to lose a limb, I did not give up. I had to find a way to provide for my children.”

Her shop has helped her achieve that goal, and she encourages other women in Iraq to seek out work that suits their skills, whether in the marketplace or from home.

“I encourage women to work and not to give up, but rather to find the kind of work that suits them best, whether in the marketplace or even from home. Women are capable of contributing to building a strong economy for our province and for all of Iraq,” she said.

ISIS, which proclaimed a caliphate in 2014 and seized vast regions of Iraq, including Mosul, was largely defeated in 2017 through coordinated efforts by Iraqi forces, Kurdish fighters, and support from the international coalition. While it no longer controls territory, ISIS remnants still present a security risk in certain remote areas.