CNN is reporting that groups of 40-50 Iraqi citizens are spreading across Basra in rebellion against the ruling Ba’ath party. SkyNews reports that Basra is rising up against Saddam Hussein’s regime, and now have U.S. and U.K. forces backing them up.

You’ll recall from yesterday’s news that Basra is heavily populated by Shi’ite Muslims who are the apparent intended target of a Hussein plan to employ chemical weapons. These are the same Shi’ites who rebelled against Hussein in 1991, but were slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands after the US military was unable to support their efforts.

Shi’ites represent a minority faction in Islam. Literally translated, “Shi’ite” means partisan of the faith. Islam has been divided since the 8th century primarily between the Shi’ites and the Sunnis. These differences center on a dispute as to the descendants of Muhammed, and hence the proper rulers for the Muslim faithful. The Shiah sect believes Muhammad intended for his direct descendants to act as both spiritual and political leaders or “Imam.”

Shi’ites are largely based in Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

The Shi’ites believe the Quran contains hidden meanings which only the Imam are holy enough to interpret, in contrast with other Islamic sects’ belief that the Quran can be literaly interpreted.

An even more unusual aspect of the Shi’ah is the belief in “dissimulation” (taqiyah), a concept advocated by early Imams. In essence, the Shi’ah doctrine encourages believers to disguise their true allegiance to protect the followers from harm.

This has led to the perception that Shi’ites are liars and a distancing in the Arab world between countries adhering to the Sunni sect and those like Iran which follow the Shi’ite path.

Tuesday, March 25th, 2003, 11:24 am   |   War Bites  |  RSS feed Comments and pings are currently closed.