“Before Ramadan started we decided to change the opening times,” the cafe's owner, Ala Abu Ahmed told NIQASH. “Instead of opening again in the early morning hours, we just decided to open at noon and stay open until dawn. The feeling during Ramadan this year is different,” Ahmed says. “The security forces should continue to ensure that everyone is safe – but this feeling also gives us hope.”
Baghdad's security forces had prepared a special plan to deal with Ramadan activities and the end of the curfew, says the spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command, Saad Maan.
“During Ramadan people often go to markets and gather in public places and they need protection,” Maan says. “The security services have also requested that all citizens help them keep the peace by reporting anything suspicious they see. Security in the capital city must be a responsibility we all share.”
Although there have been some bombing incidents, sweets seller Ghanem Karim says on the whole it's working. In Sadr city, one of Baghdad's less affluent neighbourhoods, he is able to sell his baklava, dumplings and other sweets easily at Iftar – this is the name given to the meal that breaks the daily fast.
“It's so much nicer this year, with everyone visiting each other and the kids playing in the street,” Karim notes. “Women sit in front of their houses, candles light the streets.”
“Many people come in, in the very late evening now and then they stay until dawn for Suhoor,” says Ali al-Baghdad, an employee of the Oyoun Baghdad restaurant in the Arasat neighbourhood. “The end of the curfew gives them the chance to enjoy their city. They like to stay out.”
The Paunti cafe in the Hurriya neighbourhood is also open until dawn now because the owner believes that Baghdad nights should be the way they used to, says the cafe's manager Ali al-Fatlawi.
Al-Fatlawi says he's organised entertainment, as well as games, in the cafe because he wants customers to feel at peace and to be optimistic.
In general it really feels like Baghdad has come alive again during Ramadan – locals are celebrating together the way they used to and the city feels bright with colours, candles and special events, despite the ongoing security threats.
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