Thinkerman Posted May 20, 2003 Salaam Iraqis rally for 'Islamic unity' BAGHDAD: Thousands of Shi'ite Muslims yesterday staged the largest-ever protest against the American post-war presence in Iraq, to demand the formation of a representative government. The crowd, which swelled at one point to 10,000, chanted "No Shi'ites and no Sunnis - just Islamic unity". Demonstrators sang religious songs, and carried banners, including one that said "No to the foreign administration". "What we are calling for is an interim government that represents all segments of Iraqi society," said Ali Salman, an activist. Small groups of US infantrymen, including snipers deployed on nearby rooftops, watched the rally but did not intervene. Several dozen organisers armed with AK-47 assault rifles patrolled the area. The US-led Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (Orha) said it didn't mind such demonstrations but expressed confidence that a majority of Iraqis welcomed the new authorities. Also yesterday, Shi'ite Muslims celebrated openly for the first time in decades the birthday of Prophet Mohammed. Meanwhile, an Orha official said that around 10,000 Iraqi policemen, about half the country's police force, are back at work. Unesco said yesterday only hundreds of items were stolen from the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad during the US-led war in Iraq rather than the tens of thousands first thought. US-led coalition officials downplayed a row with political groups over Iraq's future government. Plans to form a government in Iraq were still on track, they insisted after criticism that Iraq's top US overseer Paul Bremer had backed away from an earlier US timeline on the issue. "We want to have an Iraqi voice in everything we do here but it would be wrong to do that precipitously," said an Orha source. Officials from Iraqi groups that met Bremer have said that he back peddled on what they said were earlier pledges to give them a lead role in forming a new interim government in the next few weeks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabbal Posted May 21, 2003 Asalmu calykum Alhamdulilah people are finally standing up for Islam. Allah-Mahadleh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted May 22, 2003 Interesting. I wonder if that is possible? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Modesty Posted May 22, 2003 I wonder if all the Iraqis agree to this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
