Every evening, as I drive into our street, a pleasing sight greets my eyes. For after seven, and as soon as the sun's heat abates a little, all the young people in the neighbourhood flee the heat of their homes and pour out onto the street to play, chat or work in their gardens. But yesterday something was out of accord…
Our neighbourhood is made up of one main street entering from the south and exiting from the north, from which fourteen roads branch out, right and left. More than two years ago the exit was blocked with razor-wire and cement blocks, turning the neighbourhood into a great big cul-de-sac … to the extreme pleasure of the young people who are now able roam without fear of speeding cars … or transient strangers.
The girls and boys play ball games, elaborate hopscotch and most of all, "catch", whereby they divide into two teams, one chasing the other. Once, it would be police and robbers; another time, earthmen and aliens … One team eventually wins, celebrates and then they change positions, exchange labels and go it again, giving the losing team a chance to avenge their loss.
Yesterday, as I drove in, instead of the usually healthily flushed faces, I noticed sad, angry and bewildered faces.
As soon as I got home, I asked my son if anything unusual had happened that day.
"The small ones were playing "catch", and one team won. But they couldn't switch positions; some got sore and started a fight which brought their older brothers running. Thank God Ammu (uncle, an honorary title given to family men) Anmar was close by. He interfered and sent the lot packing."
"But why couldn't they change positions and labels??"
"They made up two teams, one, "Sunnis" and the other "Shiites", and they couldn't switch – they were Sunnis and Shiites!"
How sad.
A wave of deep sorrow engulfed me.
How could such a rift be healed? What will the future hold for us?
I read this article, I really wish I could have spoken with the author directly.
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Posted by: nike dunk | June 02, 2010 at 02:03 AM
But look at the good news here! Shiite and Sunni children are playing together. That's wonderful. I hope there will soon be peace, and that these children are still good neighbors when they grow up.
Posted by: Beth | July 05, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Remember when Dulaimy did that post about the hardship in Fallujah? Well, I sure hope this is a sign for better things to come in that part of Iraq. There'd better not be any skimming of that money. It all has to go to these projects to rebuild Al Anbar and to the Iraqis who will have the jobs to do the rebuilding.
http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=4022
Perhaps that region might become a safe haven for some of the internally displaced Iraqis.
Posted by: ljm | June 28, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Ditto on the comments from ljm. I don't know what my neighbors believe in,and really don't care. As long as their beliefs don't interfere with my life,why should I? Islamic leaders need to work on tolerance,not only for other sects,but other religions as well. The Quran says there is no compulsion in religion. It's time for clerics to preach on that until it sinks in.
Posted by: Perry | June 28, 2007 at 05:14 PM
In the US we have a saying that you shouldn't discuss religion and/or politics in social gatherings. That way a person stands a better chance not to offend anybody. Sadly, in Iraq, it's all about religion and politics. Even kids can't escape it. The kids need a new rule, when playing their games, avoid religion and/or politics from entering the game. They need to go back to playing cops and robbers or space aliens. Kids bounce back pretty well. So long as an adult broke up the turmoil, maybe they will get over it. There is something in the nature of kids that they want to play perhaps more than they want discord.
Posted by: ljm | June 27, 2007 at 01:44 PM