This piece seems to speak on the razor edge between Civil War and not.
Heart rending - and who's gift was this?
Baghdad Burning
... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls
can mend...
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Tensions...
Things are not good in Baghdad.
There was an explosion this morning in a mosque in Samarra, a largely Sunni
town. While the mosque is sacred to both Sunnis and Shia, it is considered
one of the most important Shia visiting places in Iraq. Samarra is
considered a sacred city by many Muslims and historians because it was made
the capital of the Abassid Empire, after Baghdad, by the Abassid Caliph
Al-Muıtasim.
The name ³Samarra² is actually derived from the phrase in Arabic ³Sarre men
raıa² which translates to ³A joy for all who see². This is what the city was
named by Al-Muıtasim when he laid the plans for a city that was to compete
with the greatest cities of the time- it was to be a joy for all who saw it.
It remained the capital of the Abassid Empire for nearly sixty years and
even after the capital was Baghdad once again, Samarra flourished under the
care of various Caliphs.
The mosque damaged with explosives today is the ³Askari Mosque² which is
important because it is believed to be the burial place of two of the 12
Shia Imams- Ali Al-Hadi and Hassan Al-Askari (father and son) who lived and
died in Samarra. The site of the mosque is believed to be where Ali Al-Hadi
and Hassan Al-Askari lived and were buried. Many Shia believe Al-Mahdi al
muntadharı will also be resurrected or will reappear from this mosque.
I remember visiting the mosque several years ago- before the war. We visited
Samarra to have a look at the famous ³Malwiya² tower and someone suggested
we also visit the Askari mosque. I was reluctant as I wasnıt dressed
properly at the time- jeans and a t-shirt are not considered mosque garb. We
stopped by a small shop in the city and purchased a few inexpensive black
abbayas for us women and drove to the mosque.
We got there just as the sun was setting and I remember pausing outside the
mosque to admire the golden dome and the intricate minarets. It was
shimmering in the sunset and there seemed to be a million colors- orange,
gold, white- it was almost glowing. The view was incredible and the
environment was so peaceful and calm. There was none of the bustle and noise
usually surrounding religious sites- we had come at a perfect time. The
inside of the mosque didnıt disappoint either- elaborate Arabic script and
more gold and this feeling of utter peace Iım grateful we decided to visit
it.
We woke up this morning to news that men wearing Iraqi security uniforms
walked in and detonated explosives, damaging the mosque almost beyond
repair. Itıs heart-breaking and terrifying. There has been gunfire all over
Baghdad since morning. The streets near our neighborhood were eerily empty
and calm but there was a tension that had us all sitting on edge. We heard
about problems in areas like Baladiyat where there was some rioting and
vandalism, etc. and several mosques in Baghdad were attacked. I think what
has everyone most disturbed is the fact that the reaction was so swift, like
it was just waiting to happen.
All morning weıve been hearing/watching both Shia and Sunni religious
figures speak out against the explosions and emphasise that this is what is
wanted by the enemies of Iraq- this is what they would like to achieve-
divide and conquer. Extreme Shia are blaming extreme Sunnis and Iraq seems
to be falling apart at the seams under foreign occupiers and local fanatics.
No one went to work today as the streets were mostly closed. The situation
isnıt good at all. I donıt think I remember things being this tense-
everyone is just watching and waiting quietly. Thereıs so much talk of civil
war and yet, with the people I know- Sunnis and Shia alike- I can hardly
believe it is a possibility. Educated, sophisticated Iraqis are horrified
with the idea of turning against each other, and even not-so-educated Iraqis
seem very aware that this is a small part of a bigger, more ominous plan
Several mosques have been taken over by the Mahdi militia and the Badir
people seem to be everywhere. Tomorrow no one is going to work or college or
anywhere.
People are scared and watchful. We can only pray.
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