Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAGHDAD63
2009-01-11 13:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ASHURA IN KARBALA: PEACEFUL, CROWDED, SANGUINE
how-toVZCZCXRO4123 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #0063 0111308 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 111308Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1174 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000063
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KISL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: ASHURA IN KARBALA: PEACEFUL, CROWDED, SANGUINE
(U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; handle
accordingly. Not for distribution on the Internet.
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000063
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KISL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: ASHURA IN KARBALA: PEACEFUL, CROWDED, SANGUINE
(U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; handle
accordingly. Not for distribution on the Internet.
1. (SBU) Summary: Ashura commemorations passed peacefully in
Karbala amid a heavy security presence, elements of which
will remain in place through Arba'ayniyah (February 15-16),
which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period. A record
number of pilgrims, estimated at two million, participated.
The Gaza situation elicited little visible sympathy. In
keeping with Ashura tradition, the streets were witness to
bloody displays of emotion by visitors commemorating the
slaying of Imam Husayn and several of his family in the
Battle of Karbala. End summary.
--------------
Peaceful, Crowded
--------------
2. (SBU) Karbala's fifth Ashura since Iraq's liberation
passed without major incident. Most of the record number of
pilgrims, estimated at two million, were Iraqis, but Iraqi
Security Forces (ISF) estimate that 60,000 to 70,000 hailed
from abroad, including sizeable delegations from India,
Pakistan, and Iran. Mindful of the possibility of heightened
emotions spilling over into violence, regional ISF commander
MG Othman al-Ghanimi deployed 28,000 soldiers and police
around the province. They were assigned to staff
checkpoints, search pilgrims, spot potential trouble from
watchtowers, and man snipers' nests on rooftops. Othman has
stated publicly that some strictures, such as vehicle
searches, will remain in place through Arba'ayniyah (February
15-16),which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period.
--------------
Gaza Not an Ashura Issue
--------------
3. (SBU) A local witness to the traditional Aza Tuwarij (the
procession of marchers from Hindiyah in eastern Karbala
province to the downtown shrines of Imam Husayn and Imam
Abbas) commented that pilgrims this year appeared more
emotional than he recalled from previous Ashura celebrations.
Asked whether the Gaza situation was part of the reason, he
replied no. Iraqi Shi'as, he explained, despise the
Palestinians for having supported Saddam Hussein. Moreover,
he continued, most Palestinians are Sunnis who -- at least
until recent years -- were wont to view the anniversary of
Imam Husayn's death as a cause for celebration.
--------------
Blood in the Streets
--------------
4. (SBU) Ashura traditionally is a time of high drama in
Karbala. Mosques throughout the province ring with all-night
recitations and enact passion plays depicting the slayings of
Imam Husayn (Mohammad's grandson through his daughter Fatima
and son-in-law Imam Ali),Husayn's half-brother Imam Abbas,
and other descendants of the Prophet in the Battle of
Karbala, the signal event marking the birth of Shi'a Islam
(in 680 C.E.). In remorse over their forebears' failure to
come to Imam Husayn's aid, some Iraqi Shi'as don burial
shrouds and lacerate their flesh with barbed whips and chains
or cut their scalps with a special sword known as a qama.
The blood shed quickly turns the white shrouds -- and the
streets around the twin shrines -- red. Acccording to the
local witness, Indian and Pakistani Shia's are the most
sanguine, slicing themselves all over with short knives and
razors. The witness said that the condemnation of such
bloodletting issued by Shaykh Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbala'i on
the eve of Ashura appeared to have little deterrent effect.
Some fanatics even cut their children while others prodded
their progeny to cut themselves with miniature qamas.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) It is not often that one is able to describe a
bloody event as successful, let alone peaceful, but this
Qbloody event as successful, let alone peaceful, but this
year's Ashura commemmorations were both. As they did during
Shabaniyah last August, Karbalans demonstrated that they can
manage large, emotion-fraught public events. The ISF,
meanwhile, showed again their ability to work cooperatively
with the local authorities to keep the peace. End comment.
CROCKER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KISL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: ASHURA IN KARBALA: PEACEFUL, CROWDED, SANGUINE
(U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; handle
accordingly. Not for distribution on the Internet.
1. (SBU) Summary: Ashura commemorations passed peacefully in
Karbala amid a heavy security presence, elements of which
will remain in place through Arba'ayniyah (February 15-16),
which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period. A record
number of pilgrims, estimated at two million, participated.
The Gaza situation elicited little visible sympathy. In
keeping with Ashura tradition, the streets were witness to
bloody displays of emotion by visitors commemorating the
slaying of Imam Husayn and several of his family in the
Battle of Karbala. End summary.
--------------
Peaceful, Crowded
--------------
2. (SBU) Karbala's fifth Ashura since Iraq's liberation
passed without major incident. Most of the record number of
pilgrims, estimated at two million, were Iraqis, but Iraqi
Security Forces (ISF) estimate that 60,000 to 70,000 hailed
from abroad, including sizeable delegations from India,
Pakistan, and Iran. Mindful of the possibility of heightened
emotions spilling over into violence, regional ISF commander
MG Othman al-Ghanimi deployed 28,000 soldiers and police
around the province. They were assigned to staff
checkpoints, search pilgrims, spot potential trouble from
watchtowers, and man snipers' nests on rooftops. Othman has
stated publicly that some strictures, such as vehicle
searches, will remain in place through Arba'ayniyah (February
15-16),which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period.
--------------
Gaza Not an Ashura Issue
--------------
3. (SBU) A local witness to the traditional Aza Tuwarij (the
procession of marchers from Hindiyah in eastern Karbala
province to the downtown shrines of Imam Husayn and Imam
Abbas) commented that pilgrims this year appeared more
emotional than he recalled from previous Ashura celebrations.
Asked whether the Gaza situation was part of the reason, he
replied no. Iraqi Shi'as, he explained, despise the
Palestinians for having supported Saddam Hussein. Moreover,
he continued, most Palestinians are Sunnis who -- at least
until recent years -- were wont to view the anniversary of
Imam Husayn's death as a cause for celebration.
--------------
Blood in the Streets
--------------
4. (SBU) Ashura traditionally is a time of high drama in
Karbala. Mosques throughout the province ring with all-night
recitations and enact passion plays depicting the slayings of
Imam Husayn (Mohammad's grandson through his daughter Fatima
and son-in-law Imam Ali),Husayn's half-brother Imam Abbas,
and other descendants of the Prophet in the Battle of
Karbala, the signal event marking the birth of Shi'a Islam
(in 680 C.E.). In remorse over their forebears' failure to
come to Imam Husayn's aid, some Iraqi Shi'as don burial
shrouds and lacerate their flesh with barbed whips and chains
or cut their scalps with a special sword known as a qama.
The blood shed quickly turns the white shrouds -- and the
streets around the twin shrines -- red. Acccording to the
local witness, Indian and Pakistani Shia's are the most
sanguine, slicing themselves all over with short knives and
razors. The witness said that the condemnation of such
bloodletting issued by Shaykh Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbala'i on
the eve of Ashura appeared to have little deterrent effect.
Some fanatics even cut their children while others prodded
their progeny to cut themselves with miniature qamas.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) It is not often that one is able to describe a
bloody event as successful, let alone peaceful, but this
Qbloody event as successful, let alone peaceful, but this
year's Ashura commemmorations were both. As they did during
Shabaniyah last August, Karbalans demonstrated that they can
manage large, emotion-fraught public events. The ISF,
meanwhile, showed again their ability to work cooperatively
with the local authorities to keep the peace. End comment.
CROCKER