Young lovers court danger from puritan moral militia (Baghdad)

[Barrett808]

Young lovers court danger from puritan moral militia
From Daniel McGrory in Baghdad

DATING is a dangerous game in Baghdad. Ali Ilhiam knows that holding hands with his teenage girlfriend could cost him a beating — or worse — from militant extremists.

“Boys can’t be seen walking and laughing with their girlfriends any more in the new Baghdad,” the 21-year-old university student said, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that he was not being watched. Friends of his have been dragged from their cars, imprisoned and threatened with death by self-appointed moral guardians for daring to link arms with their girlfriends in public.

An artificial lake on the banks of the Tigris, built by Saddam Hussein to cool one of his palaces, is among the few sanctuaries where Mr Ilhiam can still meet Murwa Majid, 19. Both are studying at nearby Baghdad University and skip lectures to spend a few minutes together.

They, like many of their friends, dread the approach of the summer holidays, when they will be separated, so they are planning to fail their exams so they can spend two months at college studying for resits.

“This is the only life we get,” Mr Iliam said. Gone are the days when he could go to a nightclub or a party with his girlfriend. “Baghdadis don’t go out any more after dusk. We are all prisoners now.”

(more)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-2153017,00.html

[Ecumenist]

1. Gee, thanks Chimpy McApeman for introducing Iraq

to the 1300's!! WAY to go, you Miserable excuse for a failure.

[saigon68]

10. Chimpy McApeman

here is the sleezebag

[celestia671]

2. But they're free now, right?

That country will be totally under the control of radical Islamists within the next year.

The U.S has created a monster.

[IndianaGreen]

3. This never happened under the Baathists!

Thank you Amerika for bringing freedom and democracy to the Jihadists at the expense of everyone else!

[Downtown Hound]

4. But, but, but

Things are getting better in Iraq! I saw it on Fox News! Tony Snow and Bill O'Reilly said so!

Bush, may you burn in hell for what you have done to those poor people.

[rodeodance]

5. sad

[ShockediSay]

6. Those moral militia types get around

The've been running our country for almost 6 years now.

[henslee]

7. No freak dancing in Bagdad.

[yellowcanine]

8. I sure am glad freedom is on the march in Baghdad.....Otherwise, I might

be misled into thinking that Bush's war has brought the Iraqis LESS freedom, not more. :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[VegasWolf]

9. Shhh!! Don't give the christo-facists here any ideas! nt