I've just returned from break to Iraq in the midst of the month of Ramadan.  During this time Muslims fast from sun up to sun down. The month is a time of self-reflection, piety, kindness and self-sacrifice. The first days of Ramadan were marked with the heat of the summer months here. At Iftar, the time to break one's fast, the staff chugged water after working in the heat throughout the day.

Just before dinner the streets are empty and people are at home with family feasting and the next day at dawn their fast begins again.

Television caters to fasting patrons with Arabic soap operas that last through the month and other Ramadan programming. A favorite show was already scarred by violence in Iraq, "Your Iftar is on us." Last week four members of the show were killed. But still the show goes on with a TV crew that surprises a needy family each day with a specially cooked dinner and household appliances on the Iraqi Sharqiya channel.

But generally Ramadan is better than last year in Baghdad. Families can go out to dinner if they like, shop after the Ramadan feast or lounge in parks. Life is not back to normal though; today a prominent cleric in the southern port city of Basra was killed. Three women's corpses were found west of Mosul and the head of the Journalist's Union was injured. Earlier this week 22 people were killed in one bombing. These are just a few of the incidents that have pockmarked the week.

Violence is still here but maybe this month will be a generous one for Iraq.