MIDEAST-CRISIS/BAGHDAD LIFE Baghdad enjoys bustling nightlife during last days of Ramadan

Record ID: 147220

  • Title: MIDEAST-CRISIS/BAGHDAD LIFE Baghdad enjoys bustling nightlife during last days of Ramadan
  • Date: 14th July 2015
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (RECENT, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CARS IN THE STREET VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SHOPPING GROCERIES FISH GRILLED IN THE STREET GRILLED FISH MAN FLIPPING COAL TO GRILL FISH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DR. SHAKER AL SAADI, SHOPPING AT MARKET, SAYING: "The people have decided to live despite all the difficulties and it's good to show that Iraqis haven't lost hope. God willing,
  • Embargoed: 29th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA42TUCKAID73E1EVSQ8P4UBHMV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Baghdad has enjoyed a surge in nightlife activities, including restaurants and shopping, in the last days of Ramadan.
    While Eid Al Fitr and the end of the holy month are approaching, people have made the most of the night hours, especially after the end of a curfew few months ago.
    "The people have decided to live despite all the difficulties and it's good to show that Iraqis haven't lost hope. God willing, there is hope. We are in the last ten days of Ramadan and you can see in Karrada that people are still out everywhere at 9:30," said, Dr. Shaker Al Saadi while shopping at a local market.
    Apart from the battles to the west and north of the capital, the security situation in Baghdad is still fluctuating. However, the past few months have passed without a single explosion and that has encouraged Iraqi families to venture outside to try to live a normal life again.
    "We go out of our houses and return late at 11 or 12 at night, apparently not only me, all people have no fear. It's like during Ramadan life becomes normal again, just like before when security was there and there weren't the challenges of terrorism," said, Dr. Maha Sadiq, sitting in a restaurant.
    Iraqi families waiting for sunset to break their fast got the chance to eat and do some shopping as the temperatures turned a little cooler. It's the first time residents in Baghdad have been able to do this since the deterioration of security that began in 2003.
    "Honestly during Ramadan month, the security got better. I feel that people go out as they want. And on top of that, the end of the curfew has had its effect. People started to come to Suhoor to restaurants, unlike before when such things didn't exist and thank God, this year it happened," said Mohammed Safi.
    After years enduring war and deprivation, people in Baghdad have learnt to cherish moments of stability, even if they are fragile and fleeting.
    "Despite the suffering and tragedy we live in, targeted by neighbouring countries and ISIS, you look at the people and you can see they love life. You see our children playing outside while the temperature is 48 or 45 degrees, but despite that, people go walking and shopping. People love life, but we pay the price of erroneous policies" said Mohammed Al Badri.
    While people seem to enjoy the nightlife in Baghdad, Islamic State fighters are battling the army less than 50 km (30 miles) away.
    Because of that, people gratefully seize any chance to enjoy life.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register