Al Mudhif - A Confluence

Water Spirit

Apr 27

Written By Kieran Riley Abbott

At Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

Lead artists: Yaroub Al Obaidi and Sarah Kavage

Project: Water Spirit

Installed: June 2021

Al Mudhif Builder: Mohaned Al Obaidi

Carpenter: Robert Zverina

Community Liaisons: Priscilla Bell, José Ortiz Pagán, Ricky Yanas

Assistants: Noah Gallo-Brown, Brenda Howell, José Miguel Terradas Esplugas

Special thanks to: Volunteers at Phrag Fests in 2020/2021 and during Al Mudhif construction; staff at the Schuylkill Center; partners at Friends of the Roxborough Reservoir, John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

Upcoming Events

Visit the Events page to find out when you can join in programming that focuses on welcoming and healing through community engagement with Iraqi War veterans, Iraqi and Syrian refugees, and Native Veterans.

About

A mudhif is a traditional Southern Iraqi structure, made entirely out of bundled and woven Phragmites reed, that serves as a hospitality and gathering space. Phragmites is an invasive plant in the US, and native to the Middle East and Europe. This mudhif is made with Phragmites from our region, and is possibly the first such structure in North America.

Al Mudhif - A Confluence is dedicated to the veterans of the US wars in Iraq and to the Iraqi people, especially the refugees from the US wars. This mudhif will be used as a space for healing and dialogue across cultural, religious and political boundaries, especially among Iraq war veterans and Iraqi refugees. Already the building of Al Mudhif has brought together volunteers with many different backgrounds and experiences in the service of recreating this 5,000 year-old design for community space.

In addition to entering the mudhif, visitors can visit the associated exhibition in the Schuykill Center’s gallery, open 9-5 Monday - Saturday. The exhibition features work of multiple artists and tells the story of the mudhif, its building traditions, and the ethics and questions that framed its creation.

Accessibility Information

Al Mudhif - A Confluence is located about 250 yards from the main building of the Schuylkill Center. Follow the gravel driveway that leads west of the main building (to the right if you are looking at the building) and go past the large greenhouse. After the driveway ends the surface turns into a wide, unpaved trail, with significant cross slopes going past the greenhouse. Access into Al Mudhif itself is free of steps and grade changes and the doorway is wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users.