BAGHDAD - Bedi'a Mahmoud, 20, does not have any options for entertainment other than going to the cinema every week. "Cinemas are very bad places, and some people go there to find prostitutes," said Mahmoud. "But even this is better than staying at home listening to the same political and religious arguments."
According to health experts, the lack of entertainment is one of the biggest problems afflicting Iraqi youth. "Iraqis have to be careful in whatever they do," said Maruan Abdullah, a spokesman for the Association of Psychologists of Iraq. "They're often afraid that doing this or that might be against religious laws."
Mahmoud recalled a recent incident in which he and his friends were berated by a group of Islamic extremists for sitting with girls in a restaurant. "When my friend tried to explain that we were just college friends, they shot him dead and warned us that we would be the next if we didn't change our ways," Mahmoud said.
Psychological effects
Dr Lamia'a Ibraheem, a health ministry psychiatrist, pointed to an increase in the number of young people suffering from serious depression and stress since last year. Ibraheem added that these symptoms have, in some cases, resulted in cardiac and pulmonary diseases. "I've found hundreds of cases of people who were psychologically stressed due to the lack of entertainment for all genders and ages," she said.
Ibraheem went on to say that the constant insecurity that has come in the wake of the US-led invasion and occupation of the country has only worsened a problem already present during the regime of former President Saddam Hussein. "During Saddam Hussein's time, there were few places for us to go to have fun," said Hiba Rabia'a, one of Ibraheem's patients who has been suffering bouts of depression ever since she witnessed the death of a friend at the hands of religious zealots. "But at least we were safe, and we weren't afraid to meet our friends."
Today's Iraq has very few places available to the public for diversion. The capital boasts about ten cinemas that screen old movies and two dilapidated public parks, while restaurants generally close at 8:00pm. There are also two night clubs, but these are about to be shut down after having received threats from religious extremists. While there are two theatrical troupes working with children in Baghdad, both have received threats from extremists.
Children, meanwhile, express exasperation. "I need to go out, I need to have fresh air, I need to play," said Barak Muhammad, 13. "I prefer to be killed having fun than die in my home between these four walls."
Ibraheem warned of the possible psychological consequences if the situation does not improve. "It's a critical problem," she said. "If it continues, it could cause retardation or incurable depression."
Suffer the children
It is young children, however, that are most affected by the dearth of amusement. "I'm sad because we're now in the summer holidays," said 10-year-old Baghdad resident Mounir Zuheir. "At school, we had fun -- but now my parents are afraid to let me play football outside my home."
While Zuheir suffers from regular bouts of depression, his mother has rejected a psychiatrist's suggestion that she take him to play in public places, saying that she would not expose him to danger. According to Ibraheem, however, such a degree of 'overprotection' can also have negative effects on the child and make the learning process more difficult when he or she returns to school.
"The holidays should be a time for children to play," said Saleh Muhammad, a spokesman for the Baghdad-based Children Saving Association. "But in Iraq, it's like prison, because children are over-protected by their parents. If security doesn't improve, children's mental health is going to get worse by the day."
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