Many families have left aside their sectarian differences and are celebrating the holy fasting month of Ramadan in unity, sharing prays and food.
"We don’t have too much to share but it is enough to show others that we are more into peace than disputes over power in Iraq," Salman Abdul-Muta’al, a 40-year-old resident of the capital Baghdad, told IslamOnline.net.
"It is amazing to see our children playing together without worries about their sects or religious differences," he added.
"Before our meetings, I tell my children they shouldn’t talk about religion as division among Sunni and Shiite but remember that Islam is only one and they are all together despite what others think."
Iraq’s Sunnis and Shiites were divided in determining the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar.
Sunnis started the fast on Monday, September 1, while Shiites began a day later.
"The differences are only political," insists Feiraz al-Raffi, 43.
"For years, we lived in our country without worrying about our sects. We need to show everyone that we are the same Iraqis as before and there isn’t a better time than Ramadan," he maintains.
"Together with other Shiite and Sunni families, we share our daily meal, happiness and problems, showing our children the true Iraq, trying to erase from their minds the differences created by isolated groups in our country."
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and suns.
They mark the period by asking forgiveness for their sins, performing good deeds and helping the poor.
Safer
A decline in car bombings and attacks is allowing many families, who had been forced out of their homes, to return and live in peace with their neighbors.
"We are happy that we are able to share happiness with other families without the fear of being killed because of that," Omar Rawi, a 47-year-old Sunni resident of Masour district, told IOL.
"We know that it hasn’t ended yet but at least, with some religious protection, we feel more secure and comfortable."
Local imams have used their Friday sermons to urge militants to respect Ramadan and respect families from different sects.
"I’m not a rich man but we do the possible to give some charity to families in need and now I can do that beside a Shiite friend who isn’t worried about our sect differences but only in how to help the ones nearby," said Rawi.
Bahira Mohammad, a 36-year-old mother of three, is happy that her neighbor are back after two years.
"My neighbors returned to their home a week before Ramadan and it was another big motivation for me during this holy month," she told IOL.
"They are close friends to us and we were sorry to see that good people like them had to live such a hard situation," she said, recalling how militants forced her neighbors from their home two years ago.
"But now to show my happiness, we are sharing our daily meal, making our home prays together and remembering the good old days we shared since they first moved here nine years ago."
The general security situation in Iraq has improved compared to earlier months but isolated attacks are still being reported, especially in the capital Baghdad.
A total of 430 Iraqi civilians, soldiers and police officers were killed nationwide last month compared with 1,860 during the same period last year.
Government security departments said that they expect a safe Ramadan compared to earlier ones since the 2003 US-led invasion.
"This Ramadan we can see a low level of violence and in response, more families from different sects are returning to their normal way of living way," said Col. Mohammad Abdallah, a senior officer in the Ministry of Interior.
"We have increased security for this period but despite that, security levels have improved and we expect a calm and safe Ramadan. We hope this situation continues for latter months."