Lots of people, lots of chaos. All Shi'ites. Looks like a prime target for a foreign suicide bomber to me, if they haven't all been killed or run out of the country by now. Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News CoverageBaghdad Shi'ites Taste Freedom on Pilgrimage Road
Sun April 20, 2003 01:46 PM ET
By Huda Majeed Saleh
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Thousands of Shia Muslims marched along Baghdad's streets on Sunday, setting out in freedom for the first time in years on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Kerbala, a few days' walk away.
Under Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, Iraq's majority Shias whom he mistrusted could only carry out their rites, if at all, under tight controls that often barred most men.
Security forces cracked down on any religious gathering that took on political overtones, as the pilgrimage looks set to now.
"Down USA, Down USA," men shouted in English, raising their fists as tanks rumbled past throwing up dust over them.
The pilgrims carried political banners saying: "Let the Iraqi people choose its government."
Observers said it was the first time since the late 1970s that Shias could freely go on the pilgrimage.
Columns of them from all over the Shi'ite heartland of southern Iraq are converging on Kerbala, one of their holiest sites and scene of heavy fighting during the U.S.-led invasion.
The U.S. military says it will provide "appropriate" security for the pilgrimage which Shi'ite sources said could attract as many as a million people. Near Kerbala, things are already heating up.
"It's a sea of humanity," said Marine Lieutenant Matt Ufford, gazing from the turret of his tank as men in green headbands streamed past, chanting and beating their chests.
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Fadhil said there was no real difference between Sunnis and Shias, whose original split comes from disagreements over Mohammad's succession.
"Saddam was the one who sowed division," he said.
The roots of Shi'ism date back to the deaths in 661 of Imam Ali, Mohammad's son-in-law and first leader of the Shi'ites, and of his son, Imam Hussein, 19 years later. Sunni Muslims also mourn his death but less fervently.
Hussein was killed by Sunnis in a battle in Kerbala, and the pilgrimage -- Arbaiin -- marks the 40th day after his death, the actual anniversary of which is marked with the Ashura holy day.
Sun April 20, 2003 01:46 PM ET
By Huda Majeed Saleh
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Thousands of Shia Muslims marched along Baghdad's streets on Sunday, setting out in freedom for the first time in years on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Kerbala, a few days' walk away.
Under Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, Iraq's majority Shias whom he mistrusted could only carry out their rites, if at all, under tight controls that often barred most men.
Security forces cracked down on any religious gathering that took on political overtones, as the pilgrimage looks set to now.
"Down USA, Down USA," men shouted in English, raising their fists as tanks rumbled past throwing up dust over them.
The pilgrims carried political banners saying: "Let the Iraqi people choose its government."
Observers said it was the first time since the late 1970s that Shias could freely go on the pilgrimage.
Columns of them from all over the Shi'ite heartland of southern Iraq are converging on Kerbala, one of their holiest sites and scene of heavy fighting during the U.S.-led invasion.
The U.S. military says it will provide "appropriate" security for the pilgrimage which Shi'ite sources said could attract as many as a million people. Near Kerbala, things are already heating up.
"It's a sea of humanity," said Marine Lieutenant Matt Ufford, gazing from the turret of his tank as men in green headbands streamed past, chanting and beating their chests.
>>
Fadhil said there was no real difference between Sunnis and Shias, whose original split comes from disagreements over Mohammad's succession.
"Saddam was the one who sowed division," he said.
The roots of Shi'ism date back to the deaths in 661 of Imam Ali, Mohammad's son-in-law and first leader of the Shi'ites, and of his son, Imam Hussein, 19 years later. Sunni Muslims also mourn his death but less fervently.
Hussein was killed by Sunnis in a battle in Kerbala, and the pilgrimage -- Arbaiin -- marks the 40th day after his death, the actual anniversary of which is marked with the Ashura holy day.
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