born_and_fed_in_baghdadJan 22nd, 2007 - 19:33:54

It is as if I grew up in Mars not in the dusty streets of Baghdad. Not until very late in my life did I realize that my Arab family affiliated to Shiite Islam, a fact which nevertheless did not preclude many inter-sect and inter-ethnic marriages. At least two of my sisters were married to Sunnis and I am married to a Sunni Turkmen. Indeed, we were told it was shameful to point to sectarian differences and in the eyes of the learned there were none. As a good friend lamented recently, perhaps these were middle class convictions of the educated and the refined elite. Iraq’s middle class has been obliterated for good and hence today’s vulgar politics.

Report this comment

waine UKJan 22nd, 2007 - 21:34:44

It's a pity that the Iraqies are killing one another, whilst this is going on their real enemies the socalled coalition are dividing the country up between themselves, if they carry on this sectarianism they will finnish up with nothing. Both sides are doing just what the coalition want, while they plunder Iraqs wealth. The Iraqies should get their act together for the countries sake.

Report this comment