Welcome Back Sadoon Street

When I was a young boy, one of my biggest dreams was going to Sadoon Street with my friends but my father was always against that dream because it was too far for a 12 or even 14 years old boy. The Street used to be called the heart of Baghdad. It didn’t get its name for nothing, it was once the center of trade, most of the international airlines have their offices in Sadoon Street, most of the cinemas are in Sadoon Street and many other kinds of business including alcohol stores which we can call the trade mark of Sadoon Street because most of the stores are in that street.

When I went back home yesterday, the taxi driver took me through Sadoon Street. It was about 6:30 p.m. I saw all the liquor stores opened. The costumers, mostly young me in their twenties were joking with the shops owner and having their drinks. The taxi driver laughed and said “well, they are really busy these days because they could start working freely at last”. I laughed and said let them work, I know its prohibited in Islam to drink alcohol but we cants force people, if the government closed the stores, they will find other ways to buy it and things would be even worse because they will love to challenge the authorities.

While I was coming to the office today, the mini bus through the same street. Tow guys were sitting behind me and when we reached the same area, I heard them saying “it looks the brothers are so busy and. Good at last we get out of the controls of the turbans men” I laughed then he addressed me “Im serious, I don’t drink but I hate to be forced to do something”.

I felt happy when I talked to the three men. I felt happy not because liquor stores were re opened but because we still have people who respect the others way of life although they don’t agree with them about it. I’m happy for Sadoon Street because it just walked its first step to be back the heart of Baghdad. May life and happiness return back to all my sad country.

God Bless Iraq.

Comments

[Laura]

From your lips to God's ears, Laith. Here's to life and happiness to you and all of Iraq. (And here's to the return of tolerance, too!) May Peace be upon you, dear Laith.