Shiite Iraqis stage huge anti-US rallies in Kerbala
Kerbala, April 23, IRNA -- Over four million Shiite Iraqis here on
Wednesday took to streets to mourn the holy ritual of Arba'een in what
later became a huge rally to voice anger at the foreign occupation of
the country.
An official with the Islamic Amal Organization of Iraq told IRNA
that the mourners, most of whom had walked to Kerbala from other
cities, were chanting slogans to condemn the presence of US and
British troops in the country, and to support the establishment of an
Islamic government in the country.
The slogans included "Death to Israel", "Death to the US", "Yes to
Islam", "Yes to Islamic Source of Emulation", "Yes to Freedom", and
"Yes to Islamic Government".
The public mourning, organized by Kerbala's theological school and
several Iraqi groups, was the first in Iraq in 25 years after the fall
of Saddam's secular regime that had banned religious celebrations and
rituals in the country.
Arba'een is the 40th day after the martyrdom of the grandson of
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the Third of Twelve Infallible Imams of
Shias, Hossein ibn Ali (AH), who was slain together with 72 of his
companions by the army of Yazid -- the second caliph of the Umayyads
-- in Kerbala in the year 670 AD.
AA/AR
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irna.com |
