The residents of Baghdad rarely get to smile, but the mood on friday morning was unusually different. The violence-torn Iraqi capital experienced the first ever snowfall in living memory with both Shias and Sunnis enjoying the unique moment with hearts full of joy and fulfillment. For once the capital forgot all the sectarian differences that have plagued the city and the country over the past five years. Many Iraqis are questioning whether the snow is a message from the Heavens above about a positive change in Iraq’s political fortunes.
Only time would answer this critical question but one cannot deny the fact that friday’s momentous natural events have brought smiles back to the faces of Baghdad’s residents of all ethnicities. There were no reports of any sort of violence in and around the city and it was a holiday to remember. Hopefully, the politicians have noticed how an unique event united the whole city and there is enough room to believe that Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians could be brought under a peaceful umbrella. The international community and the Iraqi government should work to find out a solution that would bring the same smile back to the faces of all Iraqis which was noticed on friday.
Maybe it is too philosophical to compare the first ever snowfall across Baghdad with a peaceful Iraqi future but the delight seen in the faces of the people while experiencing the snowfall is a clear indication that be it a Shia or a Sunni, everybody wants peace in the country. Let us hope that the politicians provide these people with something more special and unique than the snow which would galvanise the whole country into a renewed path towards peace and tranquility.
Let us echo the words of Abdul Hussein, a 63-year old Baghdad resident,
May peace take the place of snow in the coming days in Baghdad and the rest of Iraq.snow falling in Baghdad in such a magnificent scene was beyond my imagination.
Image and Source Link: MSNBC
