While Baghdad has seen a significant decrease in violence compared to the chaotic years after Saddam Hussein’s fall and during the battle against the Islamic State, many young Iraqis still feel their opportunities are limited. Although the city, with a population of nearly 9 million, has made some strides in restoring public parks and cultural areas, urban development has generally neglected projects aimed at youth.
However, things may be starting to shift. This past weekend, the city opened its first skate park in a ceremony attended by foreign diplomats, sports officials, and young athletes. Many see this as a hopeful step towards creating more spaces for recreation and creative expression. “I have been waiting for this moment for five years,” said 19-year-old Mohammed Al-Qadi, one of the first to visit the new park on Saturday.
Al-Qadi, along with many other skateboarders in Baghdad, used to practice in public areas like Al-Zawraa Park and Abu Nawas Street. However, they often faced challenges such as being chased away by authorities, risking collisions with cars, and dealing with safety hazards from uneven surfaces and the absence of designated skateboarding zones.
“Before, we were often forced to move or got injured because there were no proper places for us,” said Al-Qadi. “Now, we have a safe space, and I hope this is just the beginning.”
The new skate park, located within the Ministry of Youth and Sports complex near Al-Shaab International Stadium, was completed in just three weeks with help from the German and French embassies.
This project highlights the increasing international interest in developing Iraq’s sports infrastructure, especially in areas beyond the country’s traditional focus on soccer.
Al-Qadi and other skateboarding enthusiasts are now advocating for the creation of a national skating federation, which could open doors for participation in international competitions, including the Olympics.
“We have 25 male and female skaters now, but with this park, that number will definitely grow,” said Al-Qadi.
The skate park has also inspired female skaters, despite ongoing societal resistance to girls participating in a sport often seen as rough and risky. “I hope to compete internationally now that we finally have a place to train,” said 23-year-old Rusul Azim, who attended the opening in sportswear and a hijab.
Although skating is still less popular than soccer and other mainstream sports in Iraq, Azim believes the new facility will encourage more young people, especially women, to take up the sport.
Zainab Nabil, 27, also attended the park’s opening, despite her family disapproving of her skateboarding. “I am here to show that women belong in this sport too,” she said. She also suggested having separate days for women and men so more girls could feel comfortable joining.
For now, the skate park is a small but meaningful step toward giving Iraq’s youth a dedicated space of their own. Many hope it will be the first of many similar projects. “We need more places like this — safe spaces where young people can be active, express themselves, and dream of something bigger,” Al-Qadi said.
