Eid... A Space of Worship, Rituals, Joy, Reunion, and Enjoying Green Landscapes

Baghdad – Samir Khalil:Among the greatest religious occasions for Muslims is the blessed Eid, which Muslims celebrate twice every year—Eid al-Fitr following the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, marking the conclusion of the Day of Arafah when pilgrims stand at the most significant ritual of Hajj. This Eid commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s vision in which God commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. When both father and son submitted to this divine will, God, in His mercy, commanded Ibrahim to offer a ram instead—thus the name "Eid al-Adha."The Eid days passed, leaving behind memories and hope to return next year. During Eid, people engage in many activities: religious rituals such as prayers, visiting cemeteries, and giving food to the poor, in addition to outings for leisure and joy in nature—parks, recreation spots, restaurants, and cafés receive happy crowds.Baghdadi families often prefer outdoor places like gardens and riversides, especially near the Tigris River. Prominent parks in Baghdad include Al-Zawraa Park, Abu Nuwas Corniche, parks in Adhamiya, Kadhimiya, Jadriya, Zayouna, and many others—thanks to their wide spaces, play areas, zoo, and dining options.Mrs. Um Hassan prefers parks over closed spaces because they give children room to play, which she considers the essence of Eid. She ensures to take her kids to a nearby park every day of the holiday.Meanwhile, Mustafa, a young man, enjoys quieter times with friends at cafés or restaurants—chatting, eating, or smoking shisha. He believes such places offer more comfort and calm than crowded public spaces.Elderly people often reflect nostalgically on past Eids, comparing them to today's celebrations. They cherish the simplicity, sincerity, and neighborly bonds of the past—when homes stayed open night and day, and Eid felt pure and real, untainted by modern technology.Not to forget the government's efforts, particularly Baghdad Municipality, which has shown increasing attention to green spaces. Last year alone, they announced the creation of 108 new public gardens, planted over 5 million seedlings and 375,000 trees, developed 100+ dunums of green spaces, and added 600 trees to Celebration Square.On the security front, thanks to the tireless efforts of Iraq’s security forces, citizens enjoyed a safe and peaceful holiday around the clock.Many citizens chose to spend their Eid holiday in the scenic beauty of Kurdistan—its resorts, waterfalls, and cool climate attracted large numbers of tourists, even though Sulaymaniyah’s governor, Haval Abu Bakr, had announced no official celebrations in protest of the federal government's withholding of salaries to regional employees.One concern this Eid was the risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, due to sacrificial slaughter across the provinces. Health authorities remained vigilant to prevent any outbreak of this dangerous disease.