And I believe it has been one of the quietest Eids we have had for quite a while. I am so happy.

People in Nineveh, where ethnic and religious tensions run high, were out on  the streets, visiting relatives or flocking to public parks. Whole families at the amusement park and groups of young men at  cafes until all hours of the evening!

In volatile Diyala, where al Qaida still holds sway, people are out of their houses, into the streets and off visiting friends and loved ones, putting their fears behind them. Families filling parks and commons that they were afraid to reach last year. 

In Fallujah, the same story. Several new cafes were opened during Ramadan, and they were full to overflowing with youngsters eager to celebrate on these holy days.

In Tikrit, in Basra and Najaf. In Hilla, Karbala and Diwaniyah. In all the cities and towns - and not least in Baghdad, you could see the parents proudly moving about their city with their young ones in colourful Eid clothes. Reds and blues and greens. Oranges and yellows and all shades of the rainbow. Ribbons and squeaky sports shoes and beaming children.

Iraqis are a strong, resilient people who have been through so much and have seen much hardship and sorrow. But When they got the chance - they bounced, and celebrated as they have not done for a long time.

In our happiness we must not forget those who are less fortunate, those who could not give their little girls colourful ribbons. Those who lost their jobs - those who are displaced - those who lost their fathers and brothers and have no one to provide for them but poor illiterate women who have no idea where to start.

Our government should not forget them and look the other way. I say to our politicians - look around you and reach out to the people who elected you. It is your moral duty. The country needs so much work, it is a mystery why we have anyone out of a job. The best present to any family in Eid would be work for the bread-winner. I look forward to the Eid when all our little girls wear ribbons and all our little boys walk around proud of their squeaky sports shoes.