http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10166531.html

Former Al Qaida members take up painting houses for a living

By Basil Adas, Correspondent
Published: November 10, 2007, 18:22

Baghdad: After years of carrying weapons, dozens of Iraqi elements who were involved in Al Qaida have turned professional painters for a living.

Now they carry paint brushes and paint houses in bright colours in Al Saydia, Al Baya'a, Al Qadissia and Al Yarmouk neighbourhoods in Baghdad.

Abu Saher told Gulf News: "I have lived in Al Qadissia neighbourhood for 40 years. I know personally all youth who were involved with Al Qaida over the past two years and I have known them since their birth."

He continued: "A few weeks ago Fakheri, Uday, Abdul Salam and Mahdi used to carry weapons but now they have turned painters after buying painting tools and equipment. This is a positive development and the most important is that they do not use this job to facilitate kidnapping and killing people."