Sidara

The hat was introduced by King Faisal I of Iraq shortly after gaining independence from the United Kingdom, with the intention to create a national dress for the head and to distinguish the people of Iraq from neighboring countries, most notably the Ottomans, who wore the Fez, and Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula, who wore the thawb.

According to Iraqi architect Hisham Munir, King Faisal I has once surprised his father with a visit; carrying a small bag of paper underneath his arm.

Since the 1980s, it has become uncommon to see a person wearing the Sidara in Iraq, except in some particular places in both Baghdad and Mosul, and on occasions that bear a traditional character.

Due to the current conditions in Iraq, the headwear represents a form of nostalgia for the past, especially a political one where the Iraqi state existed with proper laws, institutions, and sovereignty.

Due to its return as a cultural symbol, the headgear became associated with the educated class too since national dresses are usually linked to a society's heritage and traditions by Iraqi academics.

[3] In Erbil, there's an annual exhibition that celebrates the Iraqi Sidara and its many variants and forms as an expression of adherence to the traditional heritage of old fashions.

[3] During the annual festival, the people of the city are encouraged to wear the headgear to remember the past and old heritage and culture of Iraq.

[7] American actor Mahershala Ali wears a black cap inspired by the Iraqi Sidara which he notably wore during the 2019 91st Academy Awards.