Theater performance ‘Martyrs Killed Again’ to be staged in Nasiriyah

DHI QAR — A new theatrical production titled Martyrs Killed Again is being staged in Dhi Qar’s Nasiriyah this week, presenting a narrative in which the dead return briefly to witness the state of the nation they died for, only to find their sacrifices forgotten.

The play is performed on Nov. 5–6 at 6 p.m. at the School Activities Theater in Nasiriyah. It is written by Jameel Al-Mahoud, directed by Faisal Abd Ouda. The production is held under the auspices of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate in Dhi Qar.

According to actor Ammar Al-Hijami, the story centers on a cemetery where the dead converse among themselves and “decide to send one of their own back to the world to observe the current reality in their homeland.”

The emissary, accompanied by a gravedigger to ensure his return, visits homes and neighborhoods to learn about the fates of their families and city.

Upon his return, he shares painful stories of continued conflict and neglect, illustrating what he describes as “the wreckage of the homeland.” The play concludes with the gravedigger returning the dead to their graves, underscoring a sense of unresolved loss.

The performance is described by its creators as an emotional and introspective work that seeks to “awaken conscience” and highlight the gap between sacrifice and societal recognition.