RAQQA: Men and women danced together in celebration at a wedding in Syria's Raqqa, a region that was once ruled by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Residents said Ahmad and Heba's wedding was the first in the city since US-backed forces seized it on October 17. Ahmad's family are one of the selected few who were able to return to their neighbourhood and celebrate.
His father Uthman Ibrahim said, “We are very happy, it's the first wedding since the jihadists left.” Another man said, “Before ISIS, there was dabke, songs and the traditional rituals of the region at our marriages, but ISIS banned everything, there was not a single celebration. Today it's a return of joy.” It was a colourful sight as women who were forced to wear all-enveloping black including gloves and face veils under the previous rule, delighted in sporting patterned robes and bright red lipstick. While some covered their hair with matching patterned scarves, others, including the bride, had their locks styled for the occasion.
