Baghdad, Iraq _ February 21th, 2019 _ Sardar Group held a Sakura tree (Cherry Tree) planting ceremony on the Airport Road in Baghdad as a part of participation in the “FUKUSHIMA SAKURAMORI” Project.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake hit on March 11th, 2011, FUKUSHIMA SAKURAMORI Project was planned and begun as a part of its recovery plan to spread Fukushima’s distinctive Sakura to all corners of the globe, displaying Fukushima’s rich natural beauty to future generations, in the hopes of forging stronger bonds with other towns and cities.

The Sakura of Fukushima is delivered to volunteers (individuals or corporations), to plant and grow it. This Project is a global initiative for raising awareness of “FUKUSHIMA’s Recovery” and “FUKUSHIMA Children’s Dreams”.

The Sakura (Cherry Blossom) is very symbolic flower to Japanese people, like narcissus to Iraqi/Kurdistan people. It is believed the flowers have a some type of power or energy which gives people a sense of happiness. By planting the Sakura trees, we hope that it will provide more happiness and excitement to Iraqi people and to contribute to the society.

Mr. Sardar Al Bebany, Chairman of Sardar Group, explains, “We seek to develop the horizons of Iraqi-Japanese friendship and enrich local thought and heritage with Japanese culture through such projects. As the Sakura tree in Japan symbolizes the Palm tree in Iraq, it has led us to plant them in the land of Iraq, as an expression of interest and consideration of the State of Japan, the government, people and institutions, and thus we seek to melt the two cultures in a symbolic crucible”

Through participating in this project, Sardar Group would like to show sympathy with Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake, as Iraq itself has gone through many unfortunate disasters. This project is another step toward creating a stronger bond between the two countries, Iraq and Japan.