Karbala city in Iraq is not only well known for its religious reasons, as it is usually visited by millions of pilgrims. However, it is also famous for its shisha-smokers place: Its signature wooden water pipes.
Cafes have continued to work normally despite the heavy health risks associated with smoking and the Covid-19 pandemic that has brought an average of 4,000 new coronavirus cases a day to Iraq.
Hassan Ali, a cafe owner, is serving endless streams of sweet tea to customers sipping on locally made water pipes; the hubbly-bubbly in his cafe are carved from local white willow wood.
Mohamed Baqer, a moustached 56-year-old has spent 30 years of his life as a carpenter. He is one of the last woodworkers keeping the craft alive in Karbala.
