Why Iraqi Women are Turning to the Internet to Buy Books

Imad was born in Baghdad in 1990, and she graduated from Al-Mustansiriya University. She said after the long distance, household chores and street insecurity prevented her from reaching Mutanabbi Street to buy books, she was happy to learn about the book delivery service.

Neither Abdul Hamid nor Imad could have managed to have their own personal libraries had it not been for the new service offered by Dar al-Hikma Bookstore on Mutanabbi Street. This bookstore delivers books bought online in exchange for affordable delivery fees amounting to about $4 for each order.

Al-Monitor met Abdel Halim al-Samarrai, the owner of Dar al-Hikma Bookstore. He is known among Iraqi intellectuals and writers for his activism and persistence when it comes to getting books published in Lebanon, Egypt and the Arab Maghreb countries. When books reach Baghdad, Samarrai posts them on the “Zajel Kotob” ("Book Carrier") Facebook page, where they can be ordered for delivery.

Samarrai told Al-Monitor that he receives five to 10 orders a day from Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces, and that he is happy about the growing demand for books. He explained, “Delivery orders are less expensive for both women and men because they spare people the hassle of traffic jams in the capital, plus it is a fast service that facilitates the delivery of books to remote Iraqi provinces deprived of any bookstores.”

Samarrai’s delivery service now competes with 15 booksellers, and he said it surprised him to learn that 80% of his customers were women, most of whom prefer to read newly translated Arab and international novels from publishing houses in Arab countries.

The high demand for books has prompted Samarrai to employ young people to manage the Zajel Kotob page. They receive requests, interact with readers and answer their questions. Samarrai also expanded the network of taxi drivers who deliver books to houses for a $4 fee.