This oud belongs to Dr Omar Ahmed. It was brought to him from Iraq by a friend.

DR OMAR AHMED, a consultant psychologist, living in Britain since the 1970’s, graduated from Baghdad University. He is of Palestinian origin and was raised in Baghdad where members of his family still live.

(‘The quality of lutes (ouds) still made in Iraq is unrivalled across the Arab world... (There is a) dwindling band of classical lute-makers, perhaps only 20 or so today, striving to maintain their reputation against war and peace, amid sanctions and the grinding poverty they have created’ Hassan Jouini, journalist)