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Bomb Targets "key" Shiite cleric
A bomb exploded Sunday outside the house of one of Iraqiâs most important Shiite clerics, killing three guards and injuring 10 others including family members.How many "key" clerics can a religion have, anyway? The gas cylinder was placed along the outside wall of the home of Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim in Najaf, Shiite Islamâs holiest cities. It exploded just after noon prayers. Iâm no expert, but isnât the gas cylinder thing more of a field expedient for locals? Doesnât sound like graduate work. The cleric suffered scratches on his neck, according to Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, a member of Iraqâs U.S.-picked Governing Council and leader of what was the armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, headquartered in Iran before the war. Al-Hakim is one of the most influential families in the Shiite community. Iraqi newspapers reported last week that the cleric al-Hakim had received threats against his life. He also is one of three top Shiite leaders threatened with death by a rival Shiite cleric shortly after Saddam Hussein was toppled April 9.
A day after Saddamâs ouster, a mob in Najaf hacked to death a Shiite cleric who had returned from exile. Abdul Majid al-Khoei was killed when a meeting called to reconcile rival Shiite groups erupted into a melee at the Shrine of Ali, one of Shiite Islamâs holiest sites.
Speaking of cultural things, if they had the oft-deplored American "handgun culture" instead of the Islamic bomb culture, there sure would be fewer wounded bystanders. Posted by: Mark IV 2003-08-24 |
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