It’s going to be a hot one! Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered all government staff to take Today off work because of exceptionally high temperatures. Forecasters expect temperatures in the capital of Baghdad, to reach 50C (122F) on Thursday afternoon. Heatwave conditions are also expected in the cities of Basra and Mosul.
Never give up hope. Yazidis in a town near Mosul are hoping to celebrate their first religious festival in three years come September in a shrine being rebuilt after the Islamic State swept through three years ago. Men and boys gather every day at the Malak Miran shrine in Bashiqa to reconstruct the dome destroyed by the militants when they overran the plain of Nineveh in the summer of 2014. The reconstruction is funded by private donations from Yazidi families and the people who returned to the town after it was liberated.
Lastly, can you imagine not being able to dance? Well, Iranian officials do. Iran has arrested six people accused of teaching Zumba dancing and trying to “change lifestyles.” The group of four men and two women were charged over their dancing and not adhering to the hijab dress code. Instructors allegedly “attracted boys and girls, taught them Western dances”, and posted videos to social media. Go out and enjoy your weekend in solidarity.
