A powerful tribal sheikh has offered to grant freeloader certificate to Iraq's beggars who seek for food at weddings and funerals.
"Terrorism has put in jeopardy the lives of these poor people as now they are not allowed for such ceremonies," Ahmed al-Saadi said. Iraq's residents try to avoid foreigners as they are afraid of suicide bombers.
"I offer to grant the beggars special identity cards and clothing, which will open the doors for them and will allow them to take some food to feed their children," al-Saadi continued on.
People who seek for food at weddings and burials are called al-Adama or 'black cats' in Iraq. It is one of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in the Iraq's society. The army of Iraq's unemployed has recently joined the 'black cats'.
"Relatives of brides and grooms and relatives of dead persons suspect us of being terrorists," Abu Husam, 55, who makes his living and the one of his family by being a 'black cat' said.
"We are people as others - we are glad when other people are happy and the sight of sorrow upsets us" Ismail Hadi, 68, leader of one of the groups of beggars said. "But our living conditions are very hard."
BAGDAD, September 25 (RIA Novosti)
