April 22, 2003
Fundamentalists Unite!
Photo caption from AP - Iraqi Shiite pilgrims slash open their heads with swords as they march and chant in front of Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, Iraq Tuesday April 22, 2003. For the first time in decades, Shiite Muslims in Iraq are able to perform this ritual done to mark the killing of one of their most important saints, Imam Hussein. During the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, such rituals were banned. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
In Karbala, fundamentalism reigns supreme. As Shiite pilgrims gather in Karbala to openly mourn for the first time in years, a minority of fanatics find it necessary to conduct backward practices such as the slashing ritual pictured above. In the absence of a progressive movement to educate and enshrine democratic and pluralistic principals, these fanatics - on all sides - will be the ones dominating the political and cultural landscape. Such is the nature of trying to "export democracy".
Meanwhile, the ultra right media will have a field day portraying all who oppose the U.S. military presence in Iraq as barbaric dangerous men who should be "controlled". What a shame. Posted by Pedram at April 22, 2003 06:00 AM
It is a nasty picture, and I agree with your analysis of why this sort of thing happens. I was thinking: What's the solution? (Other than not starting wars to spread democracy/US hegemony...)
I suppose people will have to be allowed to run around slicing their heads open until, through eductaion and the development of a state and a civil society, they realise that it's a really bloody stupid thing to do.
Posted by: Beatniksalad at April 22, 2003 10:01 AMIt is a nasty picture, and I agree with your analysis of why this sort of thing happens. I was thinking: What's the solution? (Other than not starting wars to spread democracy/US hegemony...)
I suppose people will have to be allowed to run around slicing their heads open until, through eductaion and the development of a state and a civil society, they realise that it's a really bloody stupid thing to do.
Posted by: Beatniksalad at April 22, 2003 10:02 AMYou criticized the U.S. for trying to export democracy.
what else should we have done?
let a madman remain in power?
sometimes people with power have to choose between two very bad options. it's a burden the powerless don't have.
i'd rather have the burden.
Helllllllllo ;)
Snygg hemsidan :D
did u get what i said??
khoshtip shodi refigh ;)
az in chiza vase ma ham doros kon dige
Whenever religion is involved, things can get a little funky. Look at the Phillipines this past weekend, as every year, several sincere people have themselves nailed to wooden crosses to share the suffering of Jesus. Of course the Catholic church officialy is against this kind of thing, still people go for it. I'm not sure that this display in Iraq will be used as a reason the US has to impose it's control.
Posted by: Dave at April 22, 2003 01:53 PMwe know that TV stations have a habit of looping their footage. after a few seconds you realise that the clips of people looting in the streets, people kissing the american soldiers, et al, are showing the same faces. similarly, i was given the impression that it was a whole lot of people taking part in the ritual. and actually, before reading pedram's post-and don't send me inflammatory messages for being so ignorant now- i was under the impression that the ritual of head slashing was far from being a minority practice. i agree though, that it does create fodder for those-thus inclined to say, 'told u they're an uncivilised lot'.
Posted by: hajar at April 28, 2003 11:33 AM