CPTnet
27 February 2006

IRAQ: Curfew in Baghdad

by Allan Slater

You may know that Baghdad was under a daytime curfew on Friday, 24 February
2006. Our neighbours told us that it was imposed to prevent large crowds
from gathering at mosques. People were not able to move between
communities, especially in cars.

At first we were apprehensive about venturing out, not knowing what sort of
curfew enforcement might be in place. It was a beautiful spring day without
the normal pall of pollution. From the roof we could see that our
neighbours were enjoying the sun out on our street. I walked down to join
in a conversation with our friend Abdul and four other neighbours. They
were discussing the various points of view people had expressed about the
recent violence. They must have been worried but they seemed jovial as
they speculated about who might be benefiting from all the violence.

I walked on down to our main street--normally jammed with cars. I saw
almost none. Most shops were closed. But the mood on the street was
festive. People were strolling with babes in arms and toddlers at their
sides. Groups of people were chatting. Boys playing soccer and boys
careening by on their bicycles with radios blasting loud music had taken
over the street.

The spirit of these people never ceases to amaze me. They are able to
summon up the hope and courage to face each day as it comes. When something
hands them even one day of blessed relief from the chaos and violence, they
sure know how to make the most of it.

______________

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