Written by Baghdad Treasure for his blog “Treasure of Baghdad”, Sunday June 18, 2006 and cross posted to the Olivebranch Network
Beautiful mountains and valleys welcomed us as we arrived in Sulaimaniya. At the checkpoint, Peshmerga stopped our cars and asked for IDs. Politely, he asked us to get off the car and stand near a [...]

I was really upset today thinking of the mission I’m assigned to accomplish…. Fill the car with fuel!
I haven’t slept well the night before when my eyes open every time I hear some noise from outside, don’t feel that safe at home.
I armed myself with my official documents to prove that the car i’m driving [...]

Cross Posted from Global Voices Online…
We have had enough.
The fearsome nights are stifling us and we now have come to hate the Fall [of Baghdad]; we hate Liberation; we hate Sunnis; we hate Shiites; we hate turbans and sidaras; we hate Jihad and Jihadists, resistance and resistors; we hate concrete; we hate streets and sidewalks; [...]

Written by Abu Khaleel for his blog “Glimpse of Iraq“, Junuary 29, 2005. Cross posted to the Olivebranch Network.
We keep hearing stories of professionals being attacked, kidnapped, threatened or simply killed all the time in chaotic, free-for-all Iraq. Knowing the intimate details of such incidents frequently makes them even more senseless or incredible.
Dr. Majeed [...]

As we left Baghdad, we entered Diyala province where Zarqawi was killed and where the 19 cut heads were found few days before he was killed. I can’t hide the fact that I was afraid they may stop and kill us. My father’s name is a Shiite name and this is what [...]

Whenever Baghdadis hear the name “north” of Iraq, they recall the natural resorts they used to visit. Nostalgia is part of Iraqis’ life. For thirteen years, they were deprived of going to this northern part of the country because of the separation the Kurds announced after they liberated themselves form Saddam’s regime in a [...]

Written by Abu Khaleel for his blog “Glimpse of Iraq“, January 15, 2005, and cross-posted to the Olivebranch Network
[This is the second post describing the Iraqi Fat-ha reception where one goes to pay respect to the deceased's kin. Please read the previous post for basics. Again, I will only describe the men's reception. I doubt [...]

Written by Abu Khaleel for his blog “Glimpse of Iraq” January 08, 2005 and cross posted to the Olivebranch Network.
I have referred to “Fat-ha” several times in this blog and simply explained it as [A reception of three days' duration where people go to express condolences to the deceased's kin].
The Fat-ha is such an important [...]

Cross Posted from Global Voices Online…
Today I will concentrate on politics. And before you switch off, let me point out that when it comes to politics, Iraqi bloggers will both surprise and entertain and certainly not bore. So on with the show.
If you read no other post this week read these
Morbid Smile posts the heartrending [...]

Written by Miraj for her blog “Baghdad Chronicles” June 1, 2006 - cross posted to OB network
Today would have been my late friend’s birthday, may God rest his sole in peace.
He was killed last March http://blog.aliraqi.org/2006/03/they_killed_my_friend.html#comments.
Dear Friend, I don’t feel sorry for you.
I know your place is much better than ours. You would have [...]