arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

The pilgrimage honors the memory of one of the central symbolic leaders of Shiite Islam, al-Hussein, who died in Karbala in 680 A.D. in a conflict over the leadership of the faith. Islam is divided into two main branches - Shiite and Sunni.

Saddam behoort tot de soenna, terwijl het merendeel van de Irakese moslims tot de shi'a behoren.

Miljoenen mensen worden verwacht tijdens deze 5 dagen-durende bedevaart. Lokale overheden voorspellen zelf tot 10 miljoen gelovigen.

The pilgrims are coming from all over Iraq, some walking without shoes from as far as Najaf, which is 50 miles southeast of Karbala.

Sommigen verwondden zichzelf om te tonen dat ze het martelaarschap met Al-Hussein delen.

Paratroopers moved to the edge of town as the pilgrims arrived. U.S forces do not want to interfere with the Shiite ceremonies. Elsen said Saddam's regime would not allow the Shiites to celebrate.

Hé, jessie,
was jij tot voor kort geen verdedigster van Saddam?