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'We Should Go Outside and Live'
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For their Eid celebrations, a few women even went out in public in knee-length skirts or without head scarves, just as they did in the days when the government of Saddam Hussein maintained a largely secular society. With the rise of religious parties and militias in recent years, most women now cover their hair and wear long robes or skirts.
"They're not wearing the scarf because they feel safer," said Um Ali, 53, a seamstress, who had accompanied her two teenage daughters to an ice cream shop in the middle-class neighborhood of Karrada. She also declined to give her full name.
But such boldness was rare. And for many, the hope brought by the decline in violence was overshadowed by the pain and suffering they have experienced.
Abu Muhammad, 52, a journalist, brought his wife, son and nephew to Zawra park. But most of their relatives had fled Iraq in recent years because of kidnapping threats and violence. Abu Muhammad said he doesn't think it is safe enough for them to return.
"We can't feel this is Eid," he said. "It's Eid when you're with your family."
Special correspondents Dalya Hassan and Qais Mizher contributed to this report.
