Mosul residents mark Ramadan as life is returning to normal

MOSUL, Iraq - It is the early days of the holy month of Ramadan. Everybody seeks for pleasure of Ramadan's traditional games, buying new clothes and different kinds of food for Iftar (break the daylight fasting).

Ramadan is an Islamic religious observance of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sight of the new moon and continues for 30 days.

For Muslims, Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the Islamic year. They all respect Ramadan which is characterized by fasting through the entire month from dawn until sunset, as they refrain from eating, drinking and all sinful thoughts and deeds.

However, for the people of the battleground city of Mosul, Ramadan's traditions are still luxuries although many of the residents feel they have somehow regained the special taste of the holy month as life is returning to normal.

"No way to compare Ramadan this year with the previous Ramadan. We were living in prison. Everything was forbidden; I can't go to market alone and I must wear hijab," said Um Karam, in her 40s, as she was walking without hijab at a popular market in one of the newly-liberated neighborhoods from the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants.

The fasting month of Ramadan has its special taste and smell with Iraqis, who used to spend its long nights with much of fun and traditional activities.

"I love Ramadan because it makes me feel connected in myself, with my family and with my people. I am happy to bring my life back, like before Daesh (IS group), and I will be happier if the security forces free all the remaining areas in Mosul and all Iraq from the rule of the terrorist group," Karam told Xinhua while shopping for food and juices for Iftar table of her family.

Traditionally, the life in Ramadan used to be more like celebrations, when all family members and sometimes friends would gather to break their fast at Iftar, which is normally a rich evening meal for breaking the dawn-to-sunset fast, with a variety of dishes.

Also in Ramadan tradition, families sometimes go for a walk to the crowded thoroughfare in their neighborhoods, and some youngsters would gather at ice cream shops or at coffee houses to play games only played in Ramadan.

In Mosul, the residents were deprived from Ramadan's traditions and relaxation and were forced to follow the brutal rules of the extremist IS group.

Nowadays in the liberated areas people have started to regain their old nights of fun in Ramadan. Not exactly like they wish, but this is the beginning.