A Passage to Happiness
How a community in Mosul worked together to rebuild their neighbourhood and spread joy to their surroundings
Joyful alley by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
Revitalising life in the city of Mosul
A 2020 project to revive a busy street in Al-Mashahda neighbourhood in West Mosul was undertaken by a group of young Maslawis.
The team chose the colour blue for its tranquility, as recommended by the Ministry of Antiquities, but honoured traditional Maslawi architecture in the use of orange highlights.
The Beginning of the Idea by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
Ruwaad Al-'Atta - Pioneers of Giving
The idea began with three young men and five young women from the Pioneers of Giving team of volunteers.
They were looking for a way to transform the lasting effects of war in the neighbourhood, transforming an area marked by bullets and bombs into a site of beauty.
Eight days of work by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
A group effort
People of Al-Mashahda participated in the initiative, coming together to overcome the devastation in the neighbourhood street.
Paint brush by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
At a time of hardship for many, they shared the cost of the materials for this important project.
Children admiring the artwork by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
A work of art
The painters helped to decorate the walls, filling the alley with scenes of beauty and peace to replace the marks of war.
Children helped out too, participating in the community effort to beautify the street in which they could now happily play.
Children Praticipating and Helping out by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
The work took eight days, which included cleaning, dyeing, painting the alley.
Happy alley by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
The team also undertook the landscaping and maintenance of green areas, gardens, and parks, as a visual reminder of the rebirth of the area.
Community Celebrations by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
Families came together to celebrate
After the work had been completed, families in the area arranged a small party for the participants to thank them for all their hard work.
People came together to commemorate the occasion, and celebrate the work of art that had been collectively created in the space.
Spread of the idea by Photo by Mohammed AbdulhaqAl-Ghad Radio
Surrounding neighbourhoods loved the project, and plans for similar initiatives are underway.
This work is brought to you by Al-Ghad Radio, in partnership with photographer Mohammed Abdulhaq.
