Courtesy Photo | SAMARRA, Iraq - Two of the most renowned Muslim monuments in the world -- the Askiri...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin
3rd BCT Public Affairs
SAMARRA, Iraq (February 24 2006) -- Samarra lies approximately 175 kilometers north of Baghdad. It was once the heart of Mesopotamia and the capital of the Muslim world. Since the days of the Saddam Husein regime, Samarra has been a city torn by tribal conflicts and government corruption.
The city holds two of the most renowned Muslim monuments in the world -- the Askiri Mosque and the mosque's spiral minaret, both of which have been attacked by terrorists.
Most recently, the mosque's golden dome was destroyed by an attack in the early morning hours of Feb. 22. The explosion in the mosque echoed through the streets, and was heard by Soldiers working nearly 10 kilometers away on Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora. The message it sent reached Muslims throughout Iraq.
The mosque dates back nearly twelve hundred years. It held the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Shi"a Imams, and was the birth place of the twelfth. Imams are clerical leaders in the Muslim faith.
The mosque is Shi"a in origin, but it is treasured by both Sunni and Shi"a Muslims worldwide. It was not an attack on Sunni or Shi"a. It was an attack on Iraq and the Muslim world, according to the governor of Salah ad Din Province, Hamad Hamood Shekti. He spoke to journalists Feb. 23, calling the people of Iraq to rise above the attack and unite as one.
"For all of Iraq and all of Salah ad Din, you witnessed the devastation of the holy place," Hamad said. "Be wise and patient. Do not be led by the ones who want to separate our country."
The bombing has caused civil unrest in Samarra and many parts of the country. Demonstrators took to the streets. The majority of these demonstrations were peaceful, but some led to violence and bloodshed.
Bringing the country and the security forces together is a monumental task and an essential element in subduing the turmoil Iraq is facing.
"The future is rebuilding our country without discrimination between Arabic, Kurds and Turkmen -- a country that will not discriminate between Shi"a and Sunni," Hamad said.
There are many aspects to fighting the insurgency. One way is for U.S. forces to partner with citizens and the Iraqi Security Forces. Getting them to take ownership of their neighborhoods and of the security in these areas is the key to peace in Iraq, according to Maj. John Calahan, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, executive officer.
The Rakkasans of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, experienced the mosque bombing first hand. They have been working with a group of Iraqi Commandos in the city since December.
The Rakkasans and the Commandos share a goal to create a secure environment and help the Iraqi police and Iraqi Army develop a foundation to base future security plans.
"We want to put an Iraqi face on security," Calahan said. "We want them to have faith in their security forces and work with the local government."
The question remains: what will it take to secure a peaceful future in Iraq? There is no simple answer. The problems Iraq is facing are complex and have roots running back thousands of years. The bombing of the Askiri Mosque has complicated matters even more. Despite talk of civil war in the western media, there is hope that the event will bring the country closer and strengthen their convictions to peace and stability.
"The sons of Salah ad Din have been through many hard times, and it has made us stronger," Hamad said. "Be stronger than the attackers and keep your eyes on the future of our country, so our children may live in peace."
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2006 16:45 |
| Story ID: | 5577 |
| Location: | SAMARRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 294 |
| Downloads: | 54 |
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