by Rosie Alfatlawi
On Friday, only three days after 16 people were killed there, Baghdad’s Alfaqma Icecreams reopened its doors to customers in an act symbolic of Iraqis’ resilience in the face of tragedy.
At least 31 people died last Tuesday in two explosions in the Iraqi capital. Responsibility for the car bombs was claimed by Daesh, whose periodic attacks have claimed the lives of hundreds in the capital since their emergence in 2014.
News of the relaunch was announced by several local Facebook pages.
Defiant against terrorism and in order that life go on, Alfaqma icecream, which was targeted by the cowardly terrorist bombing in Karrada, was restored in record time and reopened today. Ice cream is now being distributed free of charge as recompense for the souls of martyrs.
In a new act of defiance, Iraqis choose life [over death] and overcome those who try to destroy hope to create a better tomorrow. Alfaqma refreshments reopened their doors and welcomed people tonight free of charge in respect for the souls of the martyrs, after iftar. #EraseIsis
They have even had high-profile visitors since reopening.
Esteemed artists Hamid Mansour and Yass Khadr were present today at Alfaqma Icecream
Many commenters praised the move, characteristic of Iraqi steadfastness despite decades of conflict and terror.
A people who fought Iran for 8 years, lived through a blcokade and poverty for 13 years, and through killing and bombing for 14 years. Iraq [has been this way] since 1980. That is to say, [Iraq] has been crippled by a state of war for 37 years. Despite the corruption of politicians and the conspiracies of countries against [us], still Iraq lives on. [A place that] has history will be able to return and Iraq is history. You are great, you sons of Sumer, and your day will come you oppressed [people]. May the innocent martyrs receive mercy and eternal life.
Life must go on, we cannot allow terrorist forces to put out Baghdad's light... That is how Iraqis are: all determination and persistence. May God keep you and grant mercy and immortal life to our hero martyrs.
Still, some felt the swift return to normality was a sad indictment of the regularity of similar blasts in Iraq.
This just goes to show that Iraqi blood is cheap... Normality: explosion, death, burial, then we rebuild and return to normality. Okay... and what about those who died? And those who are going to die, in other explosions? It’s fine, we're used to it, thank God for everything (my words are spoken against the situation, and not the shop owner).
This is the reason why they blow us up, because they know that the people will not start a revolution and put pressure on politicians, so we have become the scapegoat, all of the time we bury, cry and then shut up, and laugh, go out and live as normal.
The bombings come as Iraqi troops and volunteer forces continue in the final push to recapture Daesh strongholds in the northern city of Mosul. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the area, while hundreds more have died after being caught up in the violence.
RA
