In a survey on BBC Arabic and under the question “how do you celebrate the new year”, many people send their reaction, I translated few reactions from Iraqis who participate in this survey.
We like it or not, we want it this date or not, we like the people running for it or not, we like the electoral system or not whatever we think of it, it is still our first election, Iraqis been waiting for since long, long time so keep your thumb up and hope to be a successful one.
Ali
People in the world will celebrate the New Year but we in Iraq will count the dead.
Gahssan
Celebrating the New Year is a symbolic for a new hope and happiness, it represent that Muslims can join their brothers from other religion in their celebrations.
Gadeer
We Iraqis must celebrate the charismas and the New Year, by doing so we give the Iraqi Christians a psychological support which they need.
Ibrahim (Palestinian living in Baghdad)
Globalization is coming and will never be stopped by suicide bombers or others because it is civilized and economical unity supported by modern technology.
Kamiran
If look at Baghdad from the sky you will see Baghdad as a big Christmas tree, when we have electricity in one block it will blackout on the other block, fire and bombing everywhere.
Vian (Kurdish)
A debate between two guys from deferent Arab countries in the same survey about “should Muslims celebrate the Christmas”
Saeed (Libya)
We are Muslims and these celebrations are not a muslim events so we should not celebrate and the people who want to celebrate in our country should not doing so in public.
Tony (Lebanon)
My brother Saeed why Muslims should not celebrate, the story of Jesus been told in the Quran and Muslims consider Jesus as a prophet send by god.
And for me I want to keep my wishes for myself but I want to share my hopes in big fonts.