|
Baghdad Flourishes in Post-Saddam Iraq
|
|
CBN News - [8/24/2006]
|
|
|
Hassan Abu Taha is a busy man these days. His shop in central Baghdad is constantly full of people looking to buy a popular symbol of freedom in a post-Saddam Iraq— the cell phone.
"I started in this company three years ago shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Since then, business has been good," said Taha.
Business has been so good, that business owners like Taha are having a tough time keeping up with the growing demand. He sells everything from dime-a-dozen Nokia’s to high-end camera phones.
Taha said, "During Saddam's time, we only had government-run land-lines. Cell phones were illegal. Now almost everyone has a cell phone."
The internet and satellite television were also illegal during Saddam’s time. Not anymore.
"We have so many stores that sell satellite televisions today. There's a growing demand for such items," said store owner Avad Nashaat.
Taha said he's proud that Iraq is slowly becoming a modernized country.
"For years were never allowed to experience the outside world. But now, because of cell phones, the internet and satellite television, we can learn more about the world. I hope that one day our country will no longer be considered a Third World nation but a developed one," said Taha.
In so many parts of Baghdad today, small and medium-sized businesses are actually doing well. This one sells air conditioners and fans. With temperatures soaring to 122 degrees, business is booming.
"When Saddam was in charge, people did not get paid a lot of money. They could not afford to buy such items. Now, people have lots of money and are willing to spend," said business owner Oday Resq-Allah.
More than three years after Baghdad fell to U.S.-led forces, many Iraqis across the country are trying to get on with their lives. Schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructures are slowly being rebuilt. But it has not been easy.
These are very challenging times today in this nation, especially in Baghdad. Although there is relative peace up in the northern part of the country as well as in southern Iraq, in Baghdad there is a tremendous amount of tension.
Parts of the city remain essentially at war as a fierce insurgency and sectarian violence threatens to engulf the capital. American and Iraqi forces are trying to bring security to Baghdad.
In recent days, they've launched major operations to try to take back sections of Baghdad from Shia and Sunni extremists.
U.S. officials warn that if not stopped, the sectarian violence could turn into an all-out civil war.
This is hardly news to residents in one Baghdad neighborhood who believe the civil war has already begun.
“We are killing each other, Sunni and Shia. I don't understand this. We are all part of the same family. How can this be happening?" said Baghdad resident Mohammed Saleem Rashid.
Three years later, some fear the situation in Baghdad has gotten worse.
"I am so nervous about my life. If I can get a visa to any country in the world, I would leave," said Ali Abdul Jabar, another Baghdad resident.
"We still have water shortages, there's no electricity and the security situation is just getting worse. Sometimes, we have to wait three days in line just to get a few gallons of gas," said yet another resident.
A shopkeeper said, "I don't think anyone here is happy. So many people have lost hope. God willing, the Americans will stay until the situation gets better.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|