Traditional carpet weaving in Iraq unravels

AL-HAMZA, Iraq - In the shadow of the Imam Hamza mosque in the region of the ancient kingdom of Babylon, a carpet market that was once bustling is now almost empty.

The only visitor to Hamad al-Soltani's small shop in the city of Al-Hamza in central Iraq, about 170 kilometers south of Baghdad, is a local tribal chief.

Nothing in the world can convince Sheikh Hazem al-Hiyali - a Bedouin scarf on his head, hooded cloak over his shoulders and shawl on his neck - to replace the traditional carpets he receives his guests on for imported versions.