Sheikh Hassoun

In a time when illiteracy and ignorance were widespread, a social phenomenon emerged in Baghdad that blended sorcery with folk medicine. People turned to the "sheikh" or "mulla" for healing, instead of going to a doctor.

The sheikh was known by his traditional attire and turban, and he was regarded as a spiritual healer. He would recite incantations, write charms, and prepare herbal mixtures such as mint, chamomile, and ginger to cure physical or “spiritual” ailments.

He offered blessed water, burned incense, and wrote amulets on small pieces of paper, which were tied to the hand or worn around the neck to ward off the evil eye, sorcery, and envy in scenes where faith intertwined with superstition.

This phenomenon gradually faded with the spread of education and health awareness, giving way to modern concepts of medicine and healing. Yet, it remains a part of Baghdad’s collective memory.