Iraq’s national football team were given a heroes' welcome upon their return to Baghdad on Friday, a day after winning the Arabian Gulf Cup in the southern city of Basra.
Thousands of Iraqis packed the main streets of the capital, mainly along the motorway linking Baghdad International Airport to the city centre, to greet the Lions of Mesopotamia.
After their plane landed, the team were received on a red carpet as the Iraq National Band for Musical Heritage danced and sang, waving Iraqi flags.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani returned to Baghdad late on Thursday and held a meeting to discuss bolstering security for the victory celebrations after Iraq's 3-2 victory against Oman in the final.
The team, along with the Minister of Youth, the head of Iraqi Football Federation and the governor of Basra, were greeted with bouquets of flowers.
Security forces flanked the team bus which moved slowly due to crowds, which at points forced it to stop.
Security forces cordoned off the main roads leading to Grand Celebrations Square, which is part of the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to key government offices, foreign embassies and politicians' residences.
Fans were searched twice before entering the square. Many were draped in the Iraqi flag or carried them. Some children had Iraqi flags painted on their cheeks.
Traditional bands entertained fans who danced to songs praising Iraq and the national team.
“This joy is not only for the cup itself, but it is about a bigger achievement amid the exceptional situation we are living in,” Jawad Mohammed Jawad, 35, told The National.
Mr Jawad joined thousands of fellow Iraqis at square with his wife and two children.
“The tournament and the efforts exerted to make it a success have changed the image of Iraq in the eyes of the whole world,” he said, waving an Iraqi flag.
“It has sent a message to our brothers in the Gulf and to the whole world that we are peaceful and generous people who love life and other people.
“It also underlined our openness to the whole world and that Iraq is safe and capable to host major events.”
Sitting on a folding stool, Najat Abdul Zahra Hassan, 57, could not hold back the tears.
“I love Iraq,” Ms Hassan told The National. “I prayed and prayed during all the matches and was about to collapse in the final out of stress.
“It’s hard to describe the joy and happiness we are feeling now. We have suffered a lot and lost loved ones and that we need to be happy even for a short period of time.”
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
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In Praise of Zayed
A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?
What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.
Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.
History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known
- Roderic Fenwick Owen
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