Running in Iraq

I do most of my running here in the early morning. Parts of this place remind me of a construction site, with dirt, concrete barriers and hum of diesel generators everywhere. There are other parts where is quite nice. I went running along one of the many canals around here. Across the water, there were several buildings in Mesopotamian architecture with huge stone blocks and columns. I was enjoying the peacefulness and the scenery until a few minutes prior to sunrise. That is when the prayers started blaring over the loudspeakers I know that it is religious and all, and Islam is a all about peace, but there is something unholy about that sound…