In 2013, the Islamic State group (ISIS/IS) declared control over parts of Syria, next year, they seized roughly one-third of Iraq.
The group imposed its extremist ideology on the region, using violence and intimidation to enforce its rule. Those who opposed them faced severe consequences, including imprisonment and public beheadings.
While ISIS was indeed driven out of Syria and Iraq in 2017, the aftermath of their brutal rule left behind a complex and challenging situation.
Many people, like 38-year-old Syrian journalist Amer Matar from Raqqa, are still grappling with the consequences of ISIS’s reign, including the disappearance of loved ones.
From a personal story to a story of all detainees
Amer’s personal tragedy, rooted in the loss of his brother, a photojournalist captured by ISIS, was the catalyst for the creation of the ISIS Prisons Museum (IPM).
His brother’s disappearance while documenting the plight of women imprisoned by ISIS and the subsequent search for answers led him to delve into the dark reality of ISIS’s prison system.
Every place Amer entered was filled with documents and evidence of other detainees who had been imprisoned by ISIS before they retreated from Syria.
Despite the lack of any trace of his brother, Amer’s discovery of these records ignited a sense of responsibility. He realised that by documenting these horrors, he could help families still searching for their loved ones, offering them a glimmer of hope amidst their despair.
“I felt a strong moral obligation to treat these documents and evidence I found with the utmost care and sensitivity,” Amer told The New Arab.
“To preserve the memory of the victims and provide concrete evidence for international justice, we used the latest technologies to virtually reconstruct these prisons”
Technology for seeking justice
The ISIS Prisons Museum is a collaborative effort by journalists, filmmakers, and human rights activists from Syria and Iraq.
The IPM’s mission is to document ISIS crimes, support victims, and advocate for justice, and the team continues to investigate in Syria and Iraq, using advanced technology to bring the dark history to light.
“We witnessed how ISIS turned places that were once schools, hospitals, football stadiums, or homes for the innocent into dark prisons,” said Amer.
“To preserve the memory of the victims and provide concrete evidence for international justice, we used the latest technologies to virtually reconstruct these prisons. Working closely with survivors and our expert team, we meticulously mapped out the ISIS prisons, not only identifying the locations of detention but also reconstructing these places in 3D, relying on the survivors’ testimonies and precise descriptions,” he explained.
By analysing the architecture and decor of the buildings, Amer and his team were able to revive these places as they once were, serving as a living testament to the crimes committed by ISIS.
The team also meticulously digitised a vast collection of documents, including handwritten texts, printed materials, audio and video recordings, and personal belongings of former detainees and ISIS members.
“IPM seeks to raise global awareness of ISIS atrocities by establishing a factual record of the harm inflicted upon victims and their families, ultimately pursuing justice and accountability,” Amer continued.
The ISIS Prisons Museum is not only a virtual space but also a physical one dedicated to documenting and exposing the atrocities committed by ISIS.
Leveraging state-of-the-art digital technology, the museum presents forensic investigations and immersive exhibitions to raise public awareness and provide support for survivors of ISIS imprisonment in Syria and Iraq.
Three Walls: Spatial narratives of Old Mosul
In addition to its virtual presence, physical exhibitions will also be held at various locations around the world. These will curate and display forensic artefacts retrieved from ISIS prisons and other sites, as well as offer visitors 3D tour experiences.
The first physical exhibition, Three Walls: Spatial Narratives of Old Mosul, was hosted by UNESCO in Paris between 6-14 November and drew thousands of visitors.
The exhibition utilised cutting-edge digital technology to immerse visitors in the historic Old Town of Mosul, revealing its past glory and tragic destruction.
By focusing on three iconic structures: the Al-Nuri Mosque, the Meydan House, and the Syriac-Catholic Church, the exhibition delved deep into their historical significance.
Through the use of virtual reality glasses, visitors were able to witness firsthand the devastating impact of the destruction on the city’s ancient architecture and cultural heritage.
Additionally, powerful video testimonies from former prisoners offered a poignant glimpse into the harrowing experiences they endured within the very walls that once confined them.
In one corner of the exhibition, a haunting video plays, featuring Khalil Ahmad al-Nasser, a survivor of ISIS’s brutal regime. As a sanitation worker in Raqqa, his life took a harrowing turn in August 2015 when ISIS militants stormed his home, arresting him and his loved ones.
The video transports viewers into the grim confines of the ISIS prison, where Khalil recounts his harrowing ordeal. He vividly describes how he and four other prisoners were forced to endure three gruelling days of standing, deprived of even the most basic necessities.
The torture room, a chilling reminder of the brutality inflicted upon the detainees, comes to life as Khalil points out the exact spot where he was suspended upside down for seven agonising days.
More physical exhibitions will be shown at various locations around the world. These will curate and display forensic artefacts retrieved from ISIS prisons and other sites, as well as offer visitors 3D tour experiences.
More than 2,000 kilometres away, Mizar Kemal, an Iraqi writer based in Istanbul, flew to Paris to attend the exhibition.
“I have experienced the challenges of living under ISIS rule in my hometown of Anbar. It is a difficult and traumatic experience to relive that dark era through this exhibition,” Mizar told The New Arab.
“It is a difficult and traumatic experience to relive that dark era through this exhibition. When ISIS invaded parts of Iraq, I witnessed firsthand how the Islamic State turned people’s homes into detention centres in my city and others like Mosul and Salahuddin,” Mizar shared.
“These prisons were a horrifying reality.”
He added, “The creation of a digital and physical museum dedicated to documenting these prisons and sharing their stories with a wider audience is a monumental endeavour.”
“The museum is not just an archive; it is a way to honour the resilience of those who survived and to ensure their stories endure”
Honouring the victims
By hosting the event at the UNESCO headquarters, Amro Khaito, the co-founder of the IPM project explained that they aimed to amplify the impact of these atrocities and raise global awareness of ISIS’s crimes.
“This location [UNESCO] allowed us to shed light on the devastating consequences of ISIS’s brutality and to honour the victims,” Amro told The New Arab.
The IPM’s documentation extends beyond prisons to encompass a wide range of locations that ISIS may have used for criminal activities, including villages, sports fields, public spaces, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, local community houses and urban centres.
“By working closely with local communities, who possess an intimate understanding of the places and experiences involved, we aim to create a lasting memorial to the victims and a powerful tool for justice,” Amro added.
“The museum is not just an archive; it is a way to honour the resilience of those who survived and to ensure their stories endure.”
Next year, the IPM team plans to launch Jawab, an Arabic word meaning Answer, a platform dedicated to helping others find closure regarding loved ones lost to ISIS.
Azhar Al-Rubaie is an independent journalist covering Iraq
Follow him on X: @AzherRubaie
