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Happy Eid to everyone although it is a little late!! …Merry Christmas and a happy new year in advance.
This Eid was different from the Eids of the past couple of years, it wasn't different for me but it was for many people.
For me it was the same; very few family members to visit, no parents to spend time with and almost no place to go to but many people were happier than I was because their families have returned to Baghdad for celebrating Eid in their country and with their people, I heard that all the tickets to Baghdad from Jordan and Syria were booked long time before Eid and that is a very good thing in my opinion; it's an improvement… maybe next Eid some of my family members could return and my Eid will have a spirit.
Few weeks ago I heard and saw that the Aaima (Imams) bridge have been reopened, it is the bridge that joins between Adhamiya (Sunni area) and Kathomiya (Shiite area). It was closed after the terrible disaster when the Shiites were going to visit Imam AlKathom passing through this bridge and a rumor spread among the crowds that there is a suicidal bomber among them and they started jumping off the bridge and the casualties were countless, in this event the true nature of the Iraqis was clear and the Sunnis started helping their Shiite brothers from drowning…anyway, I heard that it was reopened but I didn't cross it because I don't have anything to do there but in Eid I decided to go to Kathomiya and cross that bridge to visit my relatives there…as I was driving on that bridge I felt something strange, it has been three years since the last time I passed through here, I almost felt the crowds and how they were jumping from the bridge and that felt really terrible but at the same time I felt great because I'm passing from a very Sunni area to a very Shiite area without worrying…the security procedures to pass the bridge were very good and strict and that made me feel even better, after I entered Kathomiya I didn't know how to reach my relatives house because as I said it has been three years and most of the roads are not like they used to be (after the bridge closure I used to go to Kathomiya from another entrance) and I asked an Iraqi soldier about the way!!! Can you imagine that? Few months from now that would be considered suicide because that will means I'm not from the neighborhood and I have crossed from Adhamiya…but now I asked.
After some good time with my relatives I went back and it was night, as I was crossing the bridge back to my home I saw the most beautiful scene I have ever seen, It can't be compared to anything, I got chills and I literally felt like I was flying…tears were trapped in my eyes and blurred the most beautiful thing I have been craving to see…there were people (young men, girls, families) crossing the bridge on foot from Adhamiya to Kathomiya and vice versa…they seemed very happy and mind free…the people of Kathomiya went to Adhamiya to have some good time and so did the people of Kathmoiya who went to Adhamiya…the bridge was crowded with people, happy people…I really wanted to get out of the car and hug everyone of them…those are my people, those are the Iraqis that I call real Iraqis…those are the Iraqis who live side by side in peace and love…Those were my brothers and sister and I'm so proud of them because they still have a mind that isn't polluted with the ugly thoughts that the sectarian beasts tried to distribute…they are brave because they said NO to sectarianism and the beasts…they are Iraqis…god bless everyone who is like them…thank you god for allowing me to see this scene.
This Eid was different from the Eids of the past couple of years, it wasn't different for me but it was for many people.
For me it was the same; very few family members to visit, no parents to spend time with and almost no place to go to but many people were happier than I was because their families have returned to Baghdad for celebrating Eid in their country and with their people, I heard that all the tickets to Baghdad from Jordan and Syria were booked long time before Eid and that is a very good thing in my opinion; it's an improvement… maybe next Eid some of my family members could return and my Eid will have a spirit.
Few weeks ago I heard and saw that the Aaima (Imams) bridge have been reopened, it is the bridge that joins between Adhamiya (Sunni area) and Kathomiya (Shiite area). It was closed after the terrible disaster when the Shiites were going to visit Imam AlKathom passing through this bridge and a rumor spread among the crowds that there is a suicidal bomber among them and they started jumping off the bridge and the casualties were countless, in this event the true nature of the Iraqis was clear and the Sunnis started helping their Shiite brothers from drowning…anyway, I heard that it was reopened but I didn't cross it because I don't have anything to do there but in Eid I decided to go to Kathomiya and cross that bridge to visit my relatives there…as I was driving on that bridge I felt something strange, it has been three years since the last time I passed through here, I almost felt the crowds and how they were jumping from the bridge and that felt really terrible but at the same time I felt great because I'm passing from a very Sunni area to a very Shiite area without worrying…the security procedures to pass the bridge were very good and strict and that made me feel even better, after I entered Kathomiya I didn't know how to reach my relatives house because as I said it has been three years and most of the roads are not like they used to be (after the bridge closure I used to go to Kathomiya from another entrance) and I asked an Iraqi soldier about the way!!! Can you imagine that? Few months from now that would be considered suicide because that will means I'm not from the neighborhood and I have crossed from Adhamiya…but now I asked.
After some good time with my relatives I went back and it was night, as I was crossing the bridge back to my home I saw the most beautiful scene I have ever seen, It can't be compared to anything, I got chills and I literally felt like I was flying…tears were trapped in my eyes and blurred the most beautiful thing I have been craving to see…there were people (young men, girls, families) crossing the bridge on foot from Adhamiya to Kathomiya and vice versa…they seemed very happy and mind free…the people of Kathomiya went to Adhamiya to have some good time and so did the people of Kathmoiya who went to Adhamiya…the bridge was crowded with people, happy people…I really wanted to get out of the car and hug everyone of them…those are my people, those are the Iraqis that I call real Iraqis…those are the Iraqis who live side by side in peace and love…Those were my brothers and sister and I'm so proud of them because they still have a mind that isn't polluted with the ugly thoughts that the sectarian beasts tried to distribute…they are brave because they said NO to sectarianism and the beasts…they are Iraqis…god bless everyone who is like them…thank you god for allowing me to see this scene.
I beleive this bridge should be named "unity bridge".
8 comments:
I am happy to read this good news. May you and your family stay safe, and may the future bring peace to your country.
Roland.
God bless all Iraqis.
May I also congratulate Iraqi television journalist Muthathar al Zaidi for doing what the whole world has wanted to do for several years - give G W Bush the same treatment as was meted out to the statue of Saddam.
His aim was very good, and I hope nothing unpleasant happens to Muthathar (who is said to be 29 and has been covering events in Sadr City, where he has lost people dear to him).
Report on Daily Kos, here, because I can't find the actual YouTube clip.
Ah, found it on YouTube
Bush dodges two shoes in Baghdad
Where can we send a new pair of shoes to the Iraqi journalist - it is the least we can do, to acknowledge his bravery.
On the BBC site, incident captured at different angles.
Site may be busy, the video stalled when I was watching it.
Happy season of the "unity bridge" to you Mohammed. I long for peace to take hold in Iraq and the rest of the world. We have serious problems to solve or we're going to lose the planet. Earth is the only place we all have to call home. We need to take care of her. We need a unity planet.
Beautiful post, Mohammed. I'm really glad you got to see this scene and that these things are happening in Baghdad.
Best wishes to you and your family.
With respect,
JG.
Beautiful post, Mohammed.
Thank you for writing this blog that keeps the world informed about day-by-day in Iraq.
We watch the news about your country and feel very sad.
It is nice to hear one good news! Please, do never forget that are millions of people that worry about you all.
have a nice holidays too...
Pat
From Brazil
Dr. Mohammed, it is so great to read such an upbeat post from you again. You used to be more cheerful and then for a while your spirits fell way down. I hope things continue to get better and that your spirits stay uplifted. I would imagine that not all the violence is over with, but I continue to believe, as a have said to you many times, that things will stay on a generally good path. This post makes me think you finally agree with that observation. Have you by any chance thought about entering the world of politics? You would be just the right type of person to make a difference. Just a thought.
Stay well my friend and may you and your family have God's blessings. Happy holidays(all of them) to you.
Joe
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