Young men smoking sheesha pose for a picture at the Facebook Cafe in Baghdad. The picture is uploaded on to the cafe's Facebook page for the rest of the world to see and "like".
The cafe, although in no way affiliated to Facebook, marks the popularity of the social network in Iraq, one of its fastest growing markets. Ten years ago, amid the start of United States-led invasion, the average Iraqi did not own a mobile phone, had no internet and no satellite channels. A decade on, mobile penetration is at 83 per cent. Internet penetration, while still low, is growing and satellite channels number in their hundreds.
According to a report from BuddeComm, the telecommunications sector is one of the country's most dynamic. Rebuilding efforts have focused largely on improving network access and heavier government investment in infrastructure has brought about an open and competitive telecoms market in Iraq. It estimates there are 3.3 million internet users in the country, about 10 per cent of the population, up from 5 per cent in 2011. These are users that access the internet from cafes, schools, universities, work and home. Broadband penetration is still below 1 per cent and PC penetration is at 23 per cent.
Yahsat subsidiary Yahclick launched its satellite broadband offerings in December and is already seeing growth rates of 70 to 80 per cent per month. The appetite for the internet among Iraqis seems insatiable.
"What we're seeing is already helping the economy," said Shawket Ahmed, the chairman of Yahclick.
"The entire country is covered and that's really helping to boost economic activity and enable social development."
Politicians have taken to Facebook and Twitter to communicate directly with the people.
Nouri Al Maliki, the prime minister, has his own official YouTube channel. Religious and sectarian leaders have their own websites, posting their ideologies and messages to followers.
According to Alexa, a Web analytics company, Facebook is now the most visited website in Iraq, followed by YouTube and Google. Almost 10 per cent of the population is now on Facebook, which has both Arabic and Kurdish language capabilities.x
"Most Iraqis use Facebook. Even if they can't use the internet very well, they know how to use Facebook," said Tareq Al Omairiwho is pursuing a master's in microbiology.
"Before, some people used to see the internet as a bad thing. Now it is seen as a tool. Even extremists use the internet for their own purposes and to spread ideas."
Internet cafes are filled with young men playing online games or chatting with friends and families in other countries via Skype. Some befriend girls on social networks and "date" them online, away from the eyes of social taboos.
Facebook in particular has been noted for enabling marriages but it has a dark side, too, according to one lawyer based in Erbil.
"Facebook has made extramarital relations much easier and technology has exacerbated the problem," he says.
"An increasing number of women are being blackmailed by their lovers who threaten to expose indecent images and videos of them. This sort of thing didn't happen before."
The Iraqi government is one of the few in the region that does not filter the Web, enabling easy access to violent and pornographic content. Out of the top 20 most-visited websites, adult content features frequently.
A young, largely unemployed population is turning to the internet to sidestep religious and social conservatism.
Iraqis now have access to the outside world and to ideas that lie both within and beyond their borders. While the internet can enable ease of doing business and improve the economy, the effect in Iraq so far seems to be more societal.
"The internet has reached a level where we cannot live without it," says Mr Al Omairi.
"It is essential and a way of life now."
thamid@thenational.ae
The five pillars of Islam
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Notable Yas events in 2017/18
October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race
March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event
March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5