Amid the destruction, dressed in black and under the scorching sun, people walk on foot toward a small tent where pieces of ice cream are being distributed to passersby on the day of Ashura.
On the fifth of July every year, many women, men, and children take part in the Ashura procession, which is usually accompanied by the rituals of preparing hareesa and distributing dates and sweets in the madaafat Ahl al-Bayt (gathering places honoring the Prophet’s family). But this year carried a different tone. Najib Haidar and his son Mohammad took the initiative to distribute pieces of ice cream and cups of fresco (frozen drinks) to passersby, saying:
"To cool their hearts on this heavy day."
Despite everything, Najib believes this year's Ashura carries a doubled mourning. He says:
"It’s for the souls of Ahl al-Bayt, and also for the souls of those who died in the war." Mohammad adds, pointing with his hand to the pictures of martyrs hanging outside the tent: "These are my friends... the ones I lost during the war."
Najib and his son dream of returning to South Lebanon. He hasn’t seen his house in over a year. He says: "There wasn’t a week I wouldn’t head down south… and now, as you can see, they’ve announced a ceasefire, but the shooting is still going on."
