Six months after the US invasion, Esam Pasha, a 30-year-old Iraqi artist and writer, proudly painted a mural titled "Resilience" over a large portrait of Saddam Hussein on a government building wall. Pasha, now living in the United States, is one of many Iraqis who have left the country since the war, including doctors, businessmen, academics, and other professionals whose expertise Iraq cannot afford to lose. Pasha fondly remembers spending time at a gallery in Baghdad, sipping tea and chatting all day, and expresses nostalgia for the sounds, birds, and tea of Iraq. His mural depicted a vibrant celebration of Baghdad life and what he called "the ever-shining sun of Iraq." Pasha explained in a phone interview from Connecticut that he did not use any black paint in the mural, as he believed Baghdad had suffered enough darkness in its history. The mural, located on a wall of the Ministry of Labour, is inaccessible to the public due to security measures. Pasha expressed hope that one day Baghdad would be safe enough for public art to be enjoyed by all. He envisioned a city where artists could contribute to its beauty and cleanliness, restoring it to its former glory. Abu Mina, a ceramic artist and university professor, continues to visit the gallery that Pasha remembers with affection. However, he mentions that there is no security in place, which is hindering any progress. Abu Mina explains that art sales have declined significantly, and he is contemplating leaving. Additionally, he reveals that he has not received his salary from the university for a month, and many of his students are not attending classes due to safety concerns. Abu Mina estimates that only three students will graduate this year, as the majority of the class has been absent. The Higher Education Ministry reports that 185 university teachers have been killed, 52 kidnapped, and 41 wounded since April 2003. A recent double bombing at a Baghdad university resulted in the deaths of 70 people, mostly students. Abu Mina's son is studying medicine, but classes are infrequent and many professors have relocated to Damascus for safety. Accessing medical care in Iraq can be difficult and lengthy, leading some to seek treatment abroad if they can afford it. Hospital emergency rooms dealing with a surge of casualties from bombings and shootings often face staffing shortages and overwhelming conditions. A recent United Nations report highlighted a concerning rise in attacks on professionals such as teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, ex-military officers, and journalists. The report attributed these attacks to extremists promoting conformist ideology and militant/terror groups aiming to instill fear and intimidation. The report also noted a connection between a growing climate of Islamic extremism and attacks on academics. Asam Rifaat, a 38-year-old criminal lawyer in the affluent Mansour district of Baghdad, shared his decision to leave Iraq with his wife and two children due to the challenging conditions in the city. He stated that the city has become a place for deceased individuals, and he is not prepared for his kids to grow up without parents. He expressed his inability to work for justice in a country where militias operate outside the law, collaborating with the police to carry out numerous killings weekly. He believes they are living in a lawless society, where he fears for his safety every time he leaves his home, especially for the well-being of his children. His wife, a teacher, has decided to give up her job to care for their children. Salim al-Taie, a former army officer, 45, residing in Amriya in western Baghdad with his wife and three children aged five to 12, expresses his concern for his safety every time he leaves for work. He admits to becoming emotional and crying when he sees urgent news on television about bombs until he returns home. According to him, the last four years have brought significant negative changes to Baghdad, with a lack of respect for the law being a major issue. He mentioned that life in Baghdad resembles living in a city controlled by organized crime, where anyone can be murdered without cause. He recounted the deaths of two friends who were also former pilots, killed by gunmen. Despite his efforts to remain hopeful, the escalating violence and attacks in the city continue to prove him wrong. Consequently, he made the decision to relocate to Egypt, ceasing his children's attendance at school. Taie expressed that his daughters' tears upon learning they could no longer see their friends deeply affected him, prompting his decision to leave Iraq permanently. He emphasized that he no longer wants to see his children cry, even if it means never returning to Iraq.