Shia pilgrims gather for Ashura, ISF work to ensure safety

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.21.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

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Renanah Miles, Multi-National Division-Center Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD — On Jan. 19, tens of thousands of religious pilgrims who have converged on Karbala over the last ten days will celebrate Ashura, one of Shia Islam's holiest days. This year they will be protected by the Iraqi security forces, with thousands of police, Army and national police stationed along pilgrimage routes and in the Shia holy city.

This is the first time Iraqi forces will be in complete control of security for the event. U.S. troops are maintaining only an overwatch role along the pilgrimage routes, assisting the Iraqis with support and advice on security measures.

"Coalition forces are shoring up the Iraqi security forces with combat enablers, through aero-reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and route clearance teams," said Maj. Todd Kelly, ISF chief for Multi-National Division – Center.

Almost 20,000 ISF are present in Karbala, implementing a security plan that includes a vehicle ban throughout MND-C's area of operations, with the exception of Wasit province.

So far the pilgrimage has remained free of violence near Karbala. The peaceful celebration of another major religious holiday in the city would be significant for the region's economy and future security outlook.

Kelly referenced clashes between rival militias in Karbala last August, and said the Iraqis have learned from previous shortcomings in security. "They were able to improve upon performance in security, ensuring that no catastrophic events have occurred (to date)," Kelly said.

Karbala is one of the Iraqi provinces in MND-C that has already transferred to provincial Iraqi control. This means the ISF has the lead on providing security there, under the direct control of the Iraqi government. Coalition presence is limited to governance support, economic development projects and security overwatch.

Additionally, Iraqi and coalition officials are hoping to build on Karbala's status as a pilgrimage destination to transform the area into a major cultural and economic hub for Iraq, attracting Muslim tourists from all over the world to the city's shrines.

Ashura is the latest Muslim holiday to be celebrated in relative peace in the city, after an August 2007 shooting incident marred the celebration of the birth of the 12th Shia imam. That incident led to condemnations of militia violence by Iraqis across the board. Celebrations in the city since that point have been peaceful.

The holiday is still marked by suffering. Shias commemorating the death of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, mark the occasion with massive public mourning demonstrations and "passion plays" which re-enact his martyrdom. Many men and even boys participate in self-flagellation, whipping themselves on the back and head with chains and blades till their blood flows freely.

The pilgrimage to Karbala in 2004 was noted worldwide as the first since Saddam Hussein rose to power in Iraq. The festival had been banned under his rule and resumed only following the U.S. invasion in 2003.

While the ability of Shia Muslims to publicly celebrate their holiday is a mark of freedom, it has been marred yearly by devastating attacks launched by extremists preying on vulnerable crowds. In 2004, suicide bombs killed about 180 people in Karbala and the Kadhimiyah Shrine in Baghdad.

While all Muslims acknowledge Ashura as a holy day, originally designated by the Prophet Mohammed as a day of fasting, it has historic significance as representing the schism between Shia and Sunni Islam. For Shias, Ashura is a day of mourning the martyrdom of Hussein, who led a small group of followers into a defiant stand against the ruling Sunni Caliph Yazid in 680 AD. Yazid's army decimated the small group, leading to a permanent split in sects.