|
|
Article: Iraq's Shiite Hub Awaits Its Day; Najaf Prepares to Endorse Charter, but Rifts Are Apparent
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 13, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
Families gather in the festive streets after dark during the holy
month of Ramadan, munching sweets after a day of fasting. Iraqi
soldiers -- who recently assumed control over Najaf from U.S.
forces -- doff their helmets to chat with residents. And throngs of
worshipers in this spiritual capital of Shiite Islam, where large
religious demonstrations were proscribed under President Saddam
Hussein, stroll hand-in-hand under strands of colored lights to pray
at the Imam Ali shrine, one of their sect's most sacred sites.
Such scenes are impossible to imagine in many other parts of Iraq,
where daily violence keeps many people from venturing out except when
they absolutely have to.
Since ...