IRAQ: Families take time out to relax in the Iraqi capital's Zawra Park during the annual Baghdad Day celebrations

Record ID: 739382

  • Title: IRAQ: Families take time out to relax in the Iraqi capital's Zawra Park during the annual Baghdad Day celebrations
  • Date: 17th November 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF FAMILIES VISITING EXHIBITION INSIDE ZAWRA PARK FOUNTAINS IN ZAWRA PARK FLOWER BED NEAR FOUNTAIN COVERED FLOWER DISPLAY FLOWER DISPLAY WITH POTS IN BACKGROUND
  • Embargoed: 2nd December 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA379S0V7QP2PKDB65VD25LSBG8
  • Story Text: Iraqis spend a day out in Zawra park on Baghdad Day, the annual celebration of the traditions of their capital.
    Residents of Baghdad celebrated their annual Baghdad Day, dedicated to the history, culture and traditions of Iraq's capital, on Saturday (November 15).
    Families strolled through the capital's Zawra Park, enjoying flower arrangements, an exhibition illustrating aspects of traditional Baghdadi life and performances of traditional music.
    Baghdad Municipality employee Wael al-Mudhafer said the exhibition of garden design in the Zawra Park had been very successful, due to increased security in the Iraqi capital, which has made it easier for the people of Baghdad to leave their homes and visit the park.

    "This exhibition, which is held to commemorate Baghdad Day, is considered a very successful exhibition that amazes visitors and the Iraqi public. It shows that the security situation is improving and the law-and-order plan has been successful," he said.
    Baghdad resident Umm Ahmed said the people of Baghdad were able to enjoy a much more relaxed atmosphere in the Iraqi capital now that there was an improvement in the security situation.

    "Thank God, we have seen all these nice things and beautiful flowers. Thank God, you can see relieved faces as the security has improved.
    The children and I played and had a nice time. It makes us feel the change in Baghdad. It was a nice day," she said.
    An unidentified employee of the Baghdad Municipality said: "We feel happy to see joy and happiness in Baghdad after long years of killing, destruction and explosions that Iraqis suffered from, especially the Baghdadis."
    The Iraqi government has grown increasingly confident of its own ability to maintain order, as violence has dropped dramatically in the country over the past year. Iraqi forces now have command in all but five of Iraq's 18 provinces, and led a crackdown on Shi'ite militias earlier this year.
    In October the lowest monthly death toll from violence since the invasion was recorded, according to Iraqi government statistics.
    But Iraqi officials acknowledge they still need U.S. military support against Sunni militants in Baghdad and four northern provinces, as well as aid in logistics and fire power.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register