The friends gathered inside the Diwan of Retirees in Mosul’s Rashidiya area. (Photo: 964media)
Mosul
Rashidiya friends turn café tradition into community ‘diwan of retirees’
MOSUL — A group of 12 friends in Mosul’s Rashidiya area have maintained their tradition of daily gatherings for over two decades, evolving from local café meetups into a dedicated community space they now call the “Diwan of Retirees.”
The group first began meeting regularly in 2005, after four of Rashidiya’s main cafés were demolished as part of a road expansion project. With their usual meeting spots gone, they initially gathered in one another’s shops, but the setup proved impractical for sustained gatherings.
When one member left for work in Duhok, the group rented his now-empty shop and converted it into a shared space.
“We used to meet in one of Rashidiya’s four large cafés, but they were removed to build the main road,” said Shaker Mahmoud, one of the founding members. “We needed a new place to gather, so we rented a friend’s shop, furnished it, and named it the Diwan of Retirees.”
The friends jointly cover the rent and pay for utilities, tea, sugar, water, and other essentials. The space also welcomes guests from the neighborhood.
The Diwan hosts daily conversations on social, political, and religious topics. Khalil Hassan, a specialist in Islamic jurisprudence, gives a short religious lecture each afternoon. “I come after Asr prayer and present a short lecture on Islamic law and personal matters,” he told 964media.
Beyond regular meetings, the group attends social events together, including condolence visits and celebrations, helping maintain strong community ties.
