The regained freedom in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, after the extrusion of the “Islamic state” effect: The company opens back – of which women in particular benefit.
The reconciliation: In the “new” Badgad marriages between members of different religions will be back to normal
Slowly, normality returned to Baghdad. Since the terrorist militia “Islamic state” has been ousted from Iraq, has changed the Eight-million-inhabitants-city.
Most of the walls, which were built in the last ten years to secure public and private buildings, were demolished. Instead, Parks and green to be found there now surfaces. The so-called “Green Zone” was recently opened for all traffic. The Parliament, the ministries and embassies, which have not yet been backed up before not too long time of fences, walls and checkpoints are located.
Water pipes and non-alcoholic Cocktails
In the course of the changes was opened in Baghdad, the first women’s café. Where can meet women without the company of men, and their headscarves and long Abaya store, which are widely used on the roads. This is usually the first thing young women do when they Enter the café La Femme.
“Fathers don’t want their daughters to go to cafes in which men Smoking hookahs,” says La Femme-the owner of Adra noble-Abid, 47, and describes the Situation in many public places in Iraq. Also offers water pipes, but your will prepared by a woman. Their daughter, Mays, 20, serves, meanwhile, alcohol-free champagne, cocktails, soft drinks and Snacks.
Adra noble-Abid and her daughter may’s operate of Baghdad’s first women’s café
Even if the Café needs to employ a guard, as it is in public places in Iraq is common, women find their way here, says Adel-Abid. “Some men are not angry, that you are welcome; others claim, we would secretly sell alcohol and drugs.” But so far have ventured no men in this female sanctuary – although the Café house is located in a high along with other Restaurants, a sports hall for men and only one Elevator.
Five years ago, the Café would have been impossible
The circle of customers of noble-Abid consists primarily of women from the middle and upper classes. For their young customers, she organized Women to celebrate birthdays, engagements and graduation. The older Generation would rather drink coffee and listen to the old Iraqi singers, the La Femmes music system to be preferably played.
Five years ago, you could have the Café will not open, says Adel-Abid. “The people were afraid. Now there is more openness.” This means that women can now lead the company. Women like nobility-Abid. In addition to La Femme, she founded a project, which collects leftovers from Restaurants to power some of the 190.000 poor and Displaced people of the city. Due to lack of money they had to stop the project temporarily. She is currently on the search for well-Bagdadis, the support you have.
Change in cultural norms
Noble-Abid is not the only businesswoman in Baghdad. Since the “Islamic state” is superseded and the current political stability is felt, calling for Iraqi women, more and more of their share of the public space of the city. In Mansour, the district, in which La Femme, are mixed, most of the cafes and Restaurants today, and also women Smoking hookah.
The fresh Wind of change has also changed the street scene. Women dress colorful again, instead of hiding behind black veils. The development goes so far that young women cover less and less of a head scarf; how noble-Abids daughter Mays you prefer to wear Jeans and a cloth.
The Same applies for Merry al-Khafaji, who has recently married to Mustafa al-Ani. Together, the two twentysomethings sit in a water pipe in a popular Baghdad garden, she’s wearing her dark hair open and a green T-Shirt with Jeans.
The marriage of the two is another sign of the changing atmosphere in Baghdad. The fact that he is a Sunni and you Schiitin, would have led to a few years ago to big problems. But since the Iraqis have joined the “Islamic state” to turn off, have seen mixed marriages in the country to make a Comeback; young people in Baghdad, they have even become the new Standard.
Mustafa al-Ani and Merry al-Khafaji have found: at work, not about your parents
Before the fall of Saddam in 2003, it was normal that Iraqis could move freely between religions and groups to marry. But the new Regime, the country was divided according to religious beliefs. And as the Shiite majority came to Power, led to a civil war between the religious groups, to the rise of radical Islam and, finally, to the “Islamic state”. As a result, preferred by the parents that their children marry within their own group. “But after the victory over the IS a lot of Iraqis decided that they let this black Era and in the time before the division wanted to return,” says the young Couple.
Traditionally, the parents choose the Partner for their children, but Merry al-Khafaji and Mustafa al-Ani met in the telecommunications company for which they both work. Meanwhile, more and more romantic relationships at work are developing, in the study or in Workshops.
Change through Social Media
Social media have a strong effect. It gives young people a new way to find new friends in the conservative Iraqi society, to tell the two of them. And since most people don’t use their family name – the revealed often belonging to your group – in social media, don’t know the people, what Religion your new friends belong to. Until you figure it out, blooming love, then maybe up.
The social media have encouraged young people to be critical, stressed Al-Ani. “Both Sunni and Shiite youth have criticised the role of the religious political parties and Religion in our society.” But even if intermarriage in Baghdad “are now quite normal”, he says, they are common in the more conservative and demarcated regions outside the capital are less.
The marriage System itself is another obstacle. A married couple must choose which religious forms, his marriage, want to register, as Sunnis and Shiites each have their own inheritance and their own divorce laws. Although the Shia divorce laws for women are a little better, has decided the Couple for Sunni laws. “The woman from the court has advised against it,” says Al-Khafaji, “but I really don’t care.” She’s had enough of the division.
Hanaa Edwar, head of the Amal Association
Hanaa Edwar, a well-respected activist, who heads the Amal Association in Iraq, maintains the improved security situation after the victory over the “Islamic state” for the main drivers of the change. “It has a psychological effect that all of these walls will be removed. Young women say that it is now in order that you can get back to living normal. Let the scarf fall, and play a more active role in society. And their families agree.”
Women conquer the public space
Parents understand that their children need more freedom, she says, what has led to the fact that the audience in Cafés, but also the Workshops leading your organization will always be mixed.
“Parents allow their daughters to travel alone to Basra or Erbil.” Earlier you would have been always accompanied by her father or a brother. “During the fight against the IS, we saw young men and women who joined together to support civilians,” she says. “Today, women play again in theaters without a great deal of attention would be paid to. You are speaking in Public, for example against forced marriages. They break the walls and begin to shake the tribal traditions.”