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| Iraq-Jordan | |
| Sadr City's been pacified | |
| 2004-12-03 | |
After spending much of the year as a battlefield between militiamen and U.S. forces, Baghdad's Sadr City district is now embracing peace and reconstruction. Anticipation is high for what the residents of the mainly Shiite district say is their overdue empowerment through elections Jan. 30. The outdoor markets are busy again and the gridlocked traffic is back. The bands of excited children who walked behind local militiamen heading to battle in the fall now clamor around machinery laying down new water pipes. Workers in orange jumpsuits are laying asphalt in dozens of potholes dug by the fighters to conceal roadside bombs meant to kill American soldiers. The clerics who replaced their turbans and robes with track suits to join the fight are back in mosques and seminaries.
"Iraq is for sale: contact Ayad Allawi for details," fresh graffiti declares.Sheik Kareem al-Bakhatti, a senior tribal leader from the area who led the negotiations that ended the fighting in October, said authorities reneged on a promise to free supporters of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr arrested in connection with the fighting. He also complained that large-scale development projects promised by the Americans during weeks of negotiations have yet to get off the ground. "Some projects started, but they are small and only a few," al-Bakhatti said. Nothing is being done to improve the area's environment either, he said. But overall, sentiments against the U.S. presence in Iraq and Allawi's government seem to be well in check while everyone's attention is focused on the election, which Shiites in Sadr City and elsewhere expect to ensure their deliverance from centuries of persecution in Iraq. Some of the rural customs of Sadr City's inhabitants persist. It is not uncommon to see herds of sheep roaming the streets, for example. The conservative character of southern Iraq also is in evidence. Women are rarely seen in public without covering their hair. Being home to the single largest concentration of Iraq's Shiites — a majority that had been oppressed by the Sunni Arab minority for decades — Sadr City was a thorn in the side of the regime of Saddam Hussein, himself a Sunni. His feared security agencies closely watched the area for any sign of dissent. Detaining clerics, restricting the Shiites' freedom of worship and security house sweeps were not uncommon during his 23-year rule. "We have been marginalized for 14 centuries," a speaker told Thursday's reconstruction gathering, which brought together some 200 tribal sheiks and professionals from Sadr City. The speaker, Abul-Qasim al-Saadi, an aide to interim Vice President Ibrahim al-Jaafari, was alluding to the birth of Shiism in the 7th century and the persecution of its followers by the Sunni rulers of a then-young Islamic empire. "We have been third-class citizens for too long. We must now abandon the notion that we are weak," he said. Political and economic empowerment could well be in store for Iraq's Shiites, but dreams of better days are, for the time being, taking a back seat for many in Sadr City who face a daily struggle to cope with erratic services and find basic supplies. The seven-member family of Murtada Farag, a retired tennis coach with a monthly pension of less than $100, is an example of both the economic hardships of life in Sadr City and the confusion felt by many over issues such as the U.S. presence, the government and al-Sadr's militia. Farag pays $40 in rent for the two-room house they live in. Already, two of his children quit school to help the family. "Elections are a good thing and they will bring a better government. Things will improve," said Seif, the family's youngest child, as everyone laughed over his confident tone. | |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #7 Well said, Justrand! Leaddog2--Ditto! |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-12-03 9:44:09 AM |
| #6 I still want al-Sadr and his Iranian masters DEAD! |
| Posted by: leaddog2 2004-12-03 9:37:41 AM |
| #5 Sounds great. Sounds like they are moving away from violence and now have everyday concerns like most of the peaceful world. |
| Posted by: Unagum Snaimp3188 2004-12-03 9:18:59 AM |
| #4 hear! hear! |
| Posted by: anon 2004-12-03 9:16:42 AM |
| #3 I am sometimes a little (?) dismissive of Europe in my comments here and elsewhere. Usually this is in response to someone who, speaking on BEHALF of Europe, has made some outrageous claim. I'm only speaking on behalf of myself (though I think at least 61 million Americans share my sentitments)when I offer a heartfelt "Thank you!", to - the United Kingdom - Portugal - Norway - Denmark - Netherlands - Italy - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Poland - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Hungary - Albania - Macedonia - Romania - and Bulgaria for supporting our efforts to eliminate the menace of Saddam, and offer the Iraqi people a chance of freedom! And that's just Europe! Australia remains (in a tie with England) our stanuchest ally. And there are others who have provided support, but do not have personnel in Iraq at this time. This "Thank You!" is sincere, and includes a reminder to those of you speaking on behalf of Europe that there are SOME Europeans who do not agree with you!! The U.S., in a leadership role but with real support from REAL allies, freed both Afghanistan and Iraq. It IS a proud moment for the us, and a historic one for the world. Our President did the right things...and enough of us recognized it to re-elect him. Thank God. |
| Posted by: Justrand 2004-12-03 9:02:32 AM |
| #2 hmm..didn't mean to denigrate the support of the British, Australians, and others who also made this happen. They should enjoy the moment too! |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-12-03 8:37:47 AM |
| #1 America - what other nation on earth could have made this happen. In some ways, I'm almost glad that we will get no thanks or praise for our efforts, that were achieved by blood. Instead, this is story, of biblical proportions, is just page A20 news. All the way from the grunts to the commanders in chief, they will get no thanks for a battle, of the likes that the world has never seen in terms of human compassion, patience, skill and wit. And I think that is good. Good because praise leads to pride and pride leads to arrogance and arrogance causes a fall. We came we conquered and we gave the people back the power. Just like GW did in our revolution, GW does today. It's a rare occurrence in mankind's history folks. Enjoy the moment. |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-12-03 8:32:18 AM |