A cold shiver runs down my spine whenever I hear of a bombing in either an-Najaf or Karbala. Both cities are considered to be amongst the holiest places on earth by the Shia. Najaf is dedicated to Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib and is where his grave is located. It’s difficult to understate the scale of violence that would occur were it to be damaged.
Najaf
More information on Najaf’s significance can be found in these two postings:‘The Significance of the Car bombing in Najaf’ and ‘Family Outing‘ - mfi
Najaf’s significance comes from it being the site of Ali- ibn Abi- Ta-lib’s tomb. The Shia consider him to be the first lawful ima-m and the first righteous caliph. The city is a tremendously important pilgrimage centre - only Mecca and Medina receive more pilgrims. While the overwhelming majority of these pilgrims are Shia it is important to note that the Sunni revere Imam Ali as the last of the rashidun (”rightly guided caliphs“) and that both Najaf and Karbala receive Sunni pilgrims.Najaf is renowned as a centre for scientific, literary and theological studies throughout the Islamic world (mainly but not exclusively for the Shia) and is one of the centres of study of the Shia fiqh “school of faith.” As such it has a large number of hospices, schools, libraries, colleges, and seminaries. Saddam Hussein had a policy of deliberately denigrating Najaf and many of these institutions were badly damaged as an act of policy by his regime. The most notorious example being driving a highway right through the middle of the Wa-di-’u s-Sala-m. From a political point of view Najaf’s significance can’t be overstated, Ayatollah Ali- al-Hussayni- as-Si-sta-ni- studied in Najaf and is based there.
There can be no doubt whatsoever that this latest bombing is not so much terrorism as something even worse. This bombing like the Samara bombing, previous attacks on Najaf, the Kufa bombing, can only be described as being inspired by nihilism. It’s a deliberate and calculated attempt to drag not only Iraq but the surrounding countries into all out sectarian war. Initial reporting is fairly restrained but there can be no doubt that the bombing will cause massive outrage particularly as scenes such as those seen to the left showing injured children and babies being treated for wounds, and distraught parents mourning their dead and mutilated children are being widely broadcast on TV throughout the entire region. It remains to be seen whether the Grand Ayatollahs already deeply concerned that their ability to restrain their followers is slipping will succeed in holding them back one more time. Should they fail the bloodbath created by the American occupation’s policies in Iraq will pale into insignificance.
markfromireland
No tag for this post.
And Saddam Hussein’s running a highway through a holy place didn’t provoke a strong reaction?
I think that the people of the region must be infinitely patient. So many holy places have been bombed during the past three years and there is still no real uprising. Would the reaction in other circles be as subdued if the Vatican were bombed, or St. Peter’s?
There was recently a non-story about radical Jews being allowed to visit the Temple Mount on a holy day for the Jews. Nothing happened.
Perhaps in spite of everything, cooler heads can prevail. But I shudder at the pictures of these poor children. They are innocent and are made to pay for the wrongs of others.
Nancy the Shia are patient yes but their patience isn’t boundless. I’ve got so many comments (elsewhere) recently expressing severe disillusionment at the passivity of the Shi’ite establishment and saying that the day of quietism is over. The Grand Ayatollahs are well aware of this. Al-Najafi didn’t isssue that statement a few days ago and Al-Sistani didn’t condemn the attack on Lebanon and make the threat he made lightly.
When the Ayatollahs say ‘rise’ they will rise. The Ayatollahs desperately don’t want to say it but if things continue down this road they know that if they don’t there’ll be a rising anyway. This is why al-Sadr is conciously modelling the Mehdi on Hizbullah btw he hasn’t had time to get their yet but he’s made enough progress and there are enough people who agree with him for it to get very bloody very fast. He speaks to and for the dispossed in their own language and adresses their concerns. That’s a good power base.
PS: Fuel In The Hands Of Pyromaniacs
What Is Thi aboyt i dont get can someone tell me wts gpin on??????????????? write back plz love
EmilyDakin_x
EmilyDakin_x,
The posting deals with a bomb attack in a city in Iraq called an-Najaf.
In the posting I explain why attacks in that city will cause a lot violence because many people consider it to be a holy place.
I hope this helps your understanding.