Peace Near, Iraqis in Marrying Mood
Scores of young Iraqis, sensing that peace may finally be near after eight years of bloody conflict with Iran, are flocking to get married.
“As soon as I heard the cease-fire announcement, I telephoned my fiancee, got the consent of both our families, and we were married the same night,” said Khalil Othman, 24.
One five-star hotel on the Tigris River in Baghdad accommodated 159 weddings in the three-day official holiday after last week’s announcement of a cease-fire starting Saturday.
Staff members at other hotels said they have turned away many requests for wedding parties because they were fully booked.
Since last year, the government has offered incentives for couples to get married and have children to increase the population of almost 17 million. Iran has about 50 million people.
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