Khornak Street becomes Najaf’s new hub for books after Al-Huwaish market closure

NAJAF — Following the permanent closure of the Al-Huwaish book market amid expansion work around the Imam Ali Shrine, Khornak Street in Najaf’s old city has emerged as a new destination for readers and book collectors.

Roughly 400 meters from the former market site, Khornak Street is now referred to by locals as “Najaf’s Mutanabbi,” a reference to Baghdad’s famed book market. Vendors have set up roadside stalls offering a wide range of titles, many of which are sourced from Mutanabbi Street itself, according to booksellers.

“I’m from Bahrain and visited Iraq 15 years ago. During my first visit, I used to go to the Al-Huwaish bookshops, which I really liked,” said visitor Safa Abdul-Hussein. “The market was closed recently, but we found the book stalls on Khornak Street, which offer diverse and special titles.”

Abdul-Hussein described reading as “food for the mind,” and said she recommends books on topics such as education, psychology, body language, spirituality, family affairs, and marriage guidance.

Bookseller Ali Al-Shukrji said demand has grown in recent weeks, especially for fiction. “Khornak Street has seen a clear boost in book sales, especially after the closure of Al-Huwaish,” he told 964media. “It is the closest alternative, and one of the few locations in the city that offers a diverse selection of titles.”