Iraqi voices

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/talking_point/7481643.stm

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Four Iraqis describe their hopes and frustrations with life in their country.

Read accounts of two Christians in Baghdad below, or click on the video to see and hear from Iraqis in the north and south of the country.

ANNAN, UNIVERSITY TEACHER, BAGHDAD

Nothing here is safe, but we try to impose the normal on what is not normal. We take risks because life has to go on.Of course, it's not easy being Christian in Iraq. We were here before everybody else - we are as old as the country and we are part of it and part of the people.

Video and audio accounts of life in north and south Iraq

It is true that Christians are targeted - but so are Muslims. If I drive to work and there's an explosion nearby, it's not because I'm Christian.

Many Christians and many Muslims have left our country. Because we are a minority it might look like it's happening to us especially - but that's not true.University teachers have been targeted too.

We have enough staff at work, although we have lost some. Either they have left the country - or some of them have been killed.

The younger generation is coming through, but it is a very different experience being taught by a full professor, than by a newly qualified teacher.

I live in northern Baghdad with my parents. It is difficult to get around, especially in the evening. People tend to stay at home or visit neighbours, sitting together in their gardens or outside their houses. I usually stay in with my parents, or do some work on the internet.

For the past two years my parents and I have managed to leave Baghdad and spend the summer in Jordan. This year I am going to get a visa to do some work in Syria, so that will be my holiday, when I go there.

ALAA HANNA, COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER, BAGHDAD

Life ends at about eight or nine in the evening now. A few months ago it was at five pm, so it's better, but even so, there's not a lot to do.

It's either visit friends and family in their own houses, or go to a restaurant. I am Christian, but the Islamic way of life imposed on every Iraqi means there are no clubs or bars we can go to. I find it very frustrating.

A year ago it was difficult for Christians and Shias to go into Sunni areas; now it is possible but it's still better if you go with another Sunni.

The funny thing is, no Iranian-manufactured cars are allowed to be driven in Sunni neighbourhoods!

In the summer you can't go to swimming pools because you might catch something nasty from the water, it's not cleaned enough.

As for holidays, my suggestion is to sit at home and watch the Discovery channel!

You can't have a holiday inside Iraq because it is all a red zone. Even if you wanted to go north to Kurdistan, you would need approval from the Kurdish government.

That leaves you with one choice: go abroad. For that you need a visa, which is virtually impossible to get. So, it's me and the remote control this year.

It's been difficult for Christians especially over the past two years when terrorists started to kidnap and kill us, priests included.

I was targeted by militia, too, eight months ago when I was trying to find a job.

We make a joke about the situation, it goes "Smile, tomorrow will be worse".

Staying in Iraq is not really an option anymore. Many young guys want to leave just to feel safe.

Simple things are missing: we don't have social or health insurance, no clean water or electricity.

The best job you can get will pay between $500 and $1,000 a month, many graduates can't find work.

Many sectors aren't really functioning properly, for example the health service.

I took my father to hospital with heart failure recently. All the doctors were very recent graduates; their treatment was more about experimenting than healing! My father passed away last week.

I don't want to stay in Iraq if I have to face that again.