Shorja

Shorja or Al-Shorja (Arabic, الشورجة) is a marketplace in Baghdad, Iraq. Located near Bab Al Sharqi market, Shorja is Baghdad's largest and oldest market.^[1]

Before the Farhud or anti-Jewish pogroms of 1941, Shorja was the primary and historic Jewish quarter of Iraq. The area east of Hennouni street was totally Jewish complete with historic synagogues and Jewish workshops and business. In 1950 and then 1968, the entire Jewish population was deported from Baghdad and Iraq. The neighborhood was renamed "Shuriyyah."

The name Shorja comes from Persian شورچاه Shurchah and means "salty well". This market place is a landmark established long ago by Iranian merchants.^[2] The adjacent neighborhood of Ab-Khana (cistern/water tank) is likewise Persian, although now Arabicized into "Aba Khana." Both of these neighborhoods are part of the Rusafa district of eastern Baghdad in the downtown area.

^ Semple, Kirk (April 3, 2007). "Iraq market was tightly secured for McCain, merchants say". The Boston Globe. New York Times News Service.
^ "Iraq conflict is a battle for identity". 16 April 2007.

[1] Semple, Kirk (April 3, 2007). "Iraq market was tightly secured for McCain, merchants say". The Boston Globe. New York Times News Service.

[2] "Iraq conflict is a battle for identity". 16 April 2007.

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