August 21, 2006
Text messaging in Irak
In a Baghdad bereft of entertainment, text messaging and swapping ringtones are the pastime for young Iraqis trying to lighten their lives. USA Today reports.
"The content of the text messages and ringtones speak volumes about the state of affairs here: jokes and songs about suicide bombings, sectarianism, power outages, gas prices, Saddam Hussein and George Bush.
Cellphone shops, the only crowded stores these days, sell special CDs with ringtones at about $2 apiece. Collections of short jokes especially written for texters are best-sellers.
"It's not like there's much to do around here," Abdul Kareem said. "It's perhaps the only venue to express ourselves.
But cellphones in Iraq aren't just about being cool.
Some Iraqis use their cellphones to make political statements, with ringtones like "Mawtini," or "My Land," — Iraq's pre-Saddam national anthem. Others favor jingles believed to be sung by members of the Shiite Mahdi Army militia.
Because of the popularity of text messages, political parties used them as a way to campaign during parliamentary elections last year. Currently, an Iraqi non-governmental organization texts Iraqis, urging them to "confront violence with peace."
The tech-savvy insurgents have also gotten in on the act, making threats through text messages sent from websites, which makes it hard to track down the source.
Abdul Kareem, the security guard, says he texts his mother around the clock — "especially if I'm out late, you know, with all the bombs going off everywhere."
Related: - Out of Necessity and in Style, Iraqis Connect to Cellular Age
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