Region | Iraq

Terror threat no damper on Iraqi celebrations

Hundreds of Iraqi families continue to throng the Games City and Al Zawra Park, one of the most prominent entertainment sites in the capital, to enjoy Eid Al Fitr, despite increased security concerns over the bombings in Al Karrada district just two days before Eid.

  • By Basil Adas, Correspondent
  • Published: 00:07 October 2, 2008
  • Gulf News

Baghdad: Hundreds of Iraqi families continue to throng the Games City and Al Zawra Park, one of the most prominent entertainment sites in the capital, to enjoy Eid Al Fitr, despite increased security concerns over the bombings in Al Karrada district just two days before Eid.

"I came to the Games City here on Canal Street, east of Baghdad, and the one objective I have is to enjoy the holiday and spend a good time with my friends, playing the ship game and flying saucers," 14-year-old Riad Hamid told Gulf News.

This is the first time in five years that the Zawra Park near the Al Mansour district of Baghdad has hosted weddings, with families crowding and participating in the song-and-dance routine.

Faten Al Barak, an officer with the municipality, told Gulf News:

"Frankly, my enjoyment of Eid is more than ever before. I think all these families around me have come to Zawra Park with the same determination. We celebrate to defy the recent bombings in the Al Karrada neighbourhood, aimed at terrorising us and keeping us confined within our houses."

In the New Baghdad district, which has been exposed in the last few months to terrorist attacks, the scene has exceeded everyone's expectations. Hordes of people went out into the streets, with the children having a gala time at the playgrounds.

"Me and my friends are more enthusiastic about enjoying the Eid holidays for the simple reason that we are not afraid of terrorists," 27-year-old Jamal Sattee, who runs a clothing store for men in the neighbourhood, told Gulf News.

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