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Curfew leaves Iraqis longing for festive Baghdad nights
Just before midnight each evening, Iraqis rush home to beat the curfew. In these wee hours the streets are empty, save Iraqi security forces, American convoys moving equipment and a few brave children using the empty streets as a soccer field.
But now a group of advocates, poets and journalists want to take back the hours of darkness. They dream of reliving the Baghdad nights when people gathered, listened to music and voiced their approval with exclamations in the name of God.
"Music is not for political parties or for sects; it is for everyone. We demand the night back through music," said Sarmad al-Tai, the editor of the independent newspaper al-Alam.
On this summer night, the demand at a peaceful sit-in of about 30 people is not about services or security. It's simple. Return the fun to Baghdad nights. Lift the curfew.