Mosul carpenters revive craft in Anbar, winning over customers with local quality

ANBAR — A family of skilled carpenters from Mosul is helping revive Iraq’s traditional woodworking craft in Anbar, where appreciation for locally made furniture is on the rise.

Ali Qais, a carpenter whose family has practiced the trade for generations in Mosul’s historic Dajjat Baraka district — known locally as “Bayt Al-Najjar,” or “House of the Carpenter” — relocated to the Al-Furat subdistrict east of Hit four years ago after conflict devastated Mosul’s market.

“The market in Mosul collapsed because of the war, so we moved to Anbar,” Qais told 964media. “I’ve been living in Al-Furat since, and the people here have welcomed us.”

Qais said his reputation led to a partnership with the Al-Jadou’ Commercial Complex in Hit. “They had ambitions to expand by opening a woodworking section, and they chose us over imported options, whether Turkish or Chinese,” he said.

The move was driven not only by opportunity but by a growing demand for skilled, local craftsmanship. “The complex’s owners are flexible with customers, and the people of Anbar are kind, which has kept our business going,” Qais said. He added that similarities in dialect between Mosul and Hit helped ease the transition, despite some regional differences.

The team began with standard doors, later expanding into premium entrance doors, full bedroom sets, wardrobes, and dining tables. “Our work stands out because of the well-known ‘Maslawi quality’ in craftsmanship,” Qais said. “We use the best materials, and when you combine that with experience and attention to detail, the result is something special.”

Recently, the team produced a complete furniture set using Egyptian beechwood — the first of its kind in Anbar, Qais said.

“There have been no challenges with the people of Anbar,” he added. “They’ve started to prefer our work over imports, and we offer unique designs not found in mass-produced items.”

Customer Hussein Ismail said he was impressed by the results. “This is the first Mosuli team in the carpentry field here in Anbar, and the quality is exceptional,” he told 964media. “I ordered a furniture set because the materials and craftsmanship are excellent. Unlike imports, this furniture will last a lifetime.”

“Everything is made in front of your eyes,” he added. “That’s why I recommend everyone try locally made products.”