Daily life in Shi'ite Baghdad
Iraq is now gripped by its worst violence since the heights of its 2005-2008 sectarian war, and Sunni Islamist insurgents who target Shi’ites have been regaining ground in the country over the past year.
But despite the instability, daily life continues in poor Shi'ite neighbourhoods of Baghdad such as Al-Fdhiliya and Sadr City - a sprawling slum marred by poor infrastructure and overcrowding.
Women walk past a poster of Imam Hussein (right) and Imam Abbas (left) in Sadr City. Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas is a seventh century son of Imam Ali who is considered the father of Shi'ite Islam.
Shi'ite students return home from school in the Al-Fdhiliya district of Baghdad.
Students attend classes at a religious school in Sadr City.
Shi'ite men laugh together in the slum neighbourhood.
A child stands by a cart loaded with a washing machine in Sadr City.
A Shi'ite herdsman watches as his buffalo cool off in a pool of sewage.
A man sweeps up in the meat market in Sadr City.
Youths eat lunch together at a fast food restaurant.
A youth sits on his scooter as he smokes a water pipe in Sadr City.
Shi'ite youths play snooker in the slum district.
A woman leaves a cosmetics shop in Sadr City.
A child sits on an iron bench in her poor neighbourhood.
Youths play in a swimming pool in Sadr City.
A Shi'ite boy poses for a photograph.
A general view shows Firdos Square, one of the main squares in Baghdad.
