'Beit Al-Haddad'
Muqdadiya blacksmith preserves ancient knife-making tradition
DIYALA — In Muqdadiya, Diyala, the time-honored craft of knife making—locally known as “Jallab”—continues to thrive as local blacksmiths handcraft blades and other sharp tools for farmers and buyers. This enduring tradition is kept alive by craftsmen like Ali Abdul-Jabbar, a fourth-generation blacksmith who has practiced his trade since he was 12 years old.
Ali Abdul-Jabbar told 964media, “I am Ali Abdul-Jabbar Mustafa Alwan, a blacksmith. People in Muqdadiya call us ‘Beit Al-Haddad (The House of the Blacksmith),’” reflecting a deep-rooted legacy passed down through his family. He explained that his family’s craft began with his ancestor, Alwan, who inherited it from his father, Hussein, born around 1800.
“Our grandfather Mustafa passed the trade to his four grandsons, Abdul-Rahman, Abdul-Razzaq, Abdul-Sattar, and Abdul-Jabbar. Our father, Abdul-Jabbar, and his brothers worked with their father,” he said.
The family originally operated their business from a shop in an old caravanserai in the city. “The old shop’s roof was made of mud and wood. Four years ago, it was torn down due to its age, and we built the current shop in front of you,” he noted.
Ali Abdul-Jabbar began working with his father in 1996. “I was 12 when I started working with my father. In 2008, he stepped back a little, but we still consult him on some matters. When work gets busy, he comes to help, though he has become less active due to his age and health,” he said.
His customers extend beyond Diyala, reaching into neighboring governorates such as Karbala, Hillah, Anbar, Nasiriyah, Najaf, and Suwayrah. “Even after some of our customers from other governorates passed away, their children come to us to continue the work,” he added.
Despite facing challenges in an era of imported clothing and shifting market demands, Ali Abdul-Jabbar remains committed to preserving this ancient craft. “We continue teaching this craft to our children so that it does not disappear,” he affirmed.
