Iraqis Celebrate New Year Amidst Violence

Iraqis Celebrate New Year Amidst Violence

Iraqis were out all day on New Year's Eve buying cakes, balloons, party decorations and new clothes to celebrate the holiday in the hope of a more peaceful 2008.

Many Baghdad residents said they planned to celebrate New Year's Eve properly for the first time in years as violence subsides in the capital after years of sectarian war.

"My girlfriends, a cousin and I decided to gather in my house to celebrate," said Baraa, a 30-year-old woman carrying a big box of cake from the al-Tahouna pastry shop in central Baghdad's Karrada shopping district.

"Last year we also tried to gather but my cousin was killed on New Year's Eve. God willing, this year things will go well."

Like many Iraqis she said she will miss absent family like her brother, one of about 2 million Iraqis who have fled abroad.

"God willing this year peace prevails, the people who have gone abroad will come back."

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