Najaf and the Shrine of Ali
Please see below for UPDATES BUT PLEASE READ THE VITW APPEAL !
Our country’s military now declares preparations to attack the Shrine of Ali in the city of Najaf in Iraq. Our country stands on the precipice of declaring war on Islam. An attack on the Shrine of Ali is an attack on the heart of Islam and must be nonviolently resisted in our country.
The US military is urging civilians to leave Najaf. We take this as a signal that our country is preparing to turn Najaf into a free fire zone, in which all who move, civilian or not, are targeted for attack. A free fire zone and an attack on the Shrine would significantly escalate the violence throughout Iraq, increasing the danger for all Iraqis.
As the fighting and crisis intensifies in Najaf, Voices in the Wilderness calls for nonviolent acts demanding an end to the fighting. Call your Congressional Representative, US Senator and John Kerry’s campaign headquarters in your state to demand that they publicly call for an end to all US military actions in Najaf, against its citizens and at the Imam Ali Mosque. Call candidates for federal office in your state and issue the same demand. If they don’t respond positively, initiate nonviolent direct actions at their offices. Such nonviolent actions can include: an occupation of their office; a daily vigil outside of their office; a fax campaign to their office demanding they issue the statement; or a phone call campaign to their office. Also, write letters to the editor of your local newspapers and hold vigils in your local community. The time to act is now.
Voices in the Wilderness calls upon all US government officials—elected or appointed—to publicly declare their opposition to any attack by US military forces against the Shrine of Ali. We further call upon US military forces to withdraw from the holy city of Najaf and to cease all military operations against the city, its citizens and at the Imam Ali Mosque.
The Shrine of Ali is the holiest of shrines in Shia Islam. It is the burial place for Imam Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. The shrine is sacred to both Shia and Sunni Muslims. Attacking the Imam Ali Mosque is akin to bombing the burial site of Jesus for people of the Christian faith or the Western Wall for people of the Jewish faith.
An attack on the Mosque would also replicate the history of oppression of Shia under Saddam Hussein. In 1991, Shia rose up against Saddam Hussein, at the urging of the first President Bush. As US warplanes flew overhead, not intervening, Saddam’s helicopters massacred Shia on the ground below. Saddam attacked the Imam Ali Mosque during this time, killing those inside.
As US citizens we must say “no” to this threatened attack on the heart of Islam. We will use all nonviolent means available to us to resist it.
The violent overthrow of the Iraqi government and the subsequent military occupation of Iraq have not lead to freedom, security, and prosperity for the Iraqi people. Neither have they created the conditions in which freedom, security, and prosperity can be sown and nurtured. Quite the opposite: the threat and reality of violence is commonplace. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed or injured. To this threat of violence, add the increased threat of water-borne disease and the weight of a collapsed electrical grid.
The Iraqi people are our sisters and brothers. Our humanity demands that we begin to act as if lives of Iraqis and their faith truly matter to us. As US citizens we must respond without equivocation and act to end this war and occupation.
Use the following website addresses to find your Congressional Representative, US Senator or local campaign office for John Kerry:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.johnkerry.com/contact/
Voices in the Wilderness was formed in 1996 in response to the US economic sanctions against Iraq. Voices has sponsored over 70 delegations to bring humanitarian supplies to Iraqi citizens despite US law. Voices currently faces a $20,000 fine for delivering medicine and other humanitarian supplies to Iraq.
Voices in the Wilderness http://vitw.org/
Please also see:
Iraqis protest as US plans assault on Najaf
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8FCE7CEC-2517-41B0-B07F-1FC8462608AB.htm
Najaf residents flee fighting as aid agencies move in
http://electroniciraq.net/news/1600.shtml
Blaming US, Sadr Vows To Fight 'Najaf Occupation'
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/09/article04.shtml
Photo Story: Bombing of Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf
Jamal A. Wilson, Electronic Iraq, 30 August 2003
http://electroniciraq.net/news/1060.shtml
UPDATES
US Starts Sweeping Najaf Attack, 75 Iraqis Killed In Kut
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/12/article01.shtml
The Shi`ite Triangle
http://www.angryarab.blogspot.com/
Lawful Resistance to Occupation in Najaf
By Marjorie Cohn, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081304A.shtml
Najaf official resigns as fighting continues
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3075
August 13th - The News From Iraq
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/138/index.php
Najaf assault turns allies against US
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6A9C138C-A809-4B04-AB2D-E2FB092237F4.htm
Mutiny Feared, Iraqi Gov't Seeks Truce In Najaf
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/13/article08.shtml
Al-Sadr demands interim government resign
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/360CB315-97FD-4847-8837-0884E0D3048E.htm
Mahdi Army surrounds Polish troops
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/63E86F0A-19DC-4893-A194-A853BD34EBE9.htm
Top UN envoy for Iraq arrives on first visit, calls for end to fighting in Najaf http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11623&Cr=iraq&Cr1=
114 Killed In 48 Hours, Najaf Peace Talks Fail
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/14/article08.shtml
US onslaught on Najaf triggers protests and fighting across Iraq
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/aug2004/iraq-a14.shtml
Many killed in US bombing of Samarra
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B50857D9-590D-48BB-AA5C-3A7F12A14596.htm
Najaf braces for siege as talks collapse
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/44A9738D-AE01-4AEA-8202-E067EB2E13B5.htm
Najaf Battle.. Allawi's Govt. Biggest Loser
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/15/article02.shtml
Iraqi National Conference Begins, Group Walks Out
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/15/article01.shtml
Mortars create chaos at Iraqi conference
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F1B16803-3C3D-4533-83E2-5BAD21E22E11.htm
Al-Mahdi army digs in, hopes for peace deal
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6AD83F50-A872-4FFC-95D0-1EE24A7963E9.htm
Iraq Evicts Reporters from Najaf
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604W.shtml
Offensive resumes in Najaf, prompting desertions of Iraqi troops
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/9409919.htm
Police Fire at Reporters as U.S. Tanks Roll up to Shrine
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081704X.shtml
News Blackout in Najaf Deplored
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=1869&blz=1
Please see below for UPDATES BUT PLEASE READ THE VITW APPEAL !
Our country’s military now declares preparations to attack the Shrine of Ali in the city of Najaf in Iraq. Our country stands on the precipice of declaring war on Islam. An attack on the Shrine of Ali is an attack on the heart of Islam and must be nonviolently resisted in our country.
The US military is urging civilians to leave Najaf. We take this as a signal that our country is preparing to turn Najaf into a free fire zone, in which all who move, civilian or not, are targeted for attack. A free fire zone and an attack on the Shrine would significantly escalate the violence throughout Iraq, increasing the danger for all Iraqis.
As the fighting and crisis intensifies in Najaf, Voices in the Wilderness calls for nonviolent acts demanding an end to the fighting. Call your Congressional Representative, US Senator and John Kerry’s campaign headquarters in your state to demand that they publicly call for an end to all US military actions in Najaf, against its citizens and at the Imam Ali Mosque. Call candidates for federal office in your state and issue the same demand. If they don’t respond positively, initiate nonviolent direct actions at their offices. Such nonviolent actions can include: an occupation of their office; a daily vigil outside of their office; a fax campaign to their office demanding they issue the statement; or a phone call campaign to their office. Also, write letters to the editor of your local newspapers and hold vigils in your local community. The time to act is now.
Voices in the Wilderness calls upon all US government officials—elected or appointed—to publicly declare their opposition to any attack by US military forces against the Shrine of Ali. We further call upon US military forces to withdraw from the holy city of Najaf and to cease all military operations against the city, its citizens and at the Imam Ali Mosque.
The Shrine of Ali is the holiest of shrines in Shia Islam. It is the burial place for Imam Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. The shrine is sacred to both Shia and Sunni Muslims. Attacking the Imam Ali Mosque is akin to bombing the burial site of Jesus for people of the Christian faith or the Western Wall for people of the Jewish faith.
An attack on the Mosque would also replicate the history of oppression of Shia under Saddam Hussein. In 1991, Shia rose up against Saddam Hussein, at the urging of the first President Bush. As US warplanes flew overhead, not intervening, Saddam’s helicopters massacred Shia on the ground below. Saddam attacked the Imam Ali Mosque during this time, killing those inside.
As US citizens we must say “no” to this threatened attack on the heart of Islam. We will use all nonviolent means available to us to resist it.
The violent overthrow of the Iraqi government and the subsequent military occupation of Iraq have not lead to freedom, security, and prosperity for the Iraqi people. Neither have they created the conditions in which freedom, security, and prosperity can be sown and nurtured. Quite the opposite: the threat and reality of violence is commonplace. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed or injured. To this threat of violence, add the increased threat of water-borne disease and the weight of a collapsed electrical grid.
The Iraqi people are our sisters and brothers. Our humanity demands that we begin to act as if lives of Iraqis and their faith truly matter to us. As US citizens we must respond without equivocation and act to end this war and occupation.
Use the following website addresses to find your Congressional Representative, US Senator or local campaign office for John Kerry:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.johnkerry.com/contact/
Voices in the Wilderness was formed in 1996 in response to the US economic sanctions against Iraq. Voices has sponsored over 70 delegations to bring humanitarian supplies to Iraqi citizens despite US law. Voices currently faces a $20,000 fine for delivering medicine and other humanitarian supplies to Iraq.
Voices in the Wilderness http://vitw.org/
Please also see:
Iraqis protest as US plans assault on Najaf
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8FCE7CEC-2517-41B0-B07F-1FC8462608AB.htm
Najaf residents flee fighting as aid agencies move in
http://electroniciraq.net/news/1600.shtml
Blaming US, Sadr Vows To Fight 'Najaf Occupation'
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/09/article04.shtml
Photo Story: Bombing of Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf
Jamal A. Wilson, Electronic Iraq, 30 August 2003
http://electroniciraq.net/news/1060.shtml
UPDATES
US Starts Sweeping Najaf Attack, 75 Iraqis Killed In Kut
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/12/article01.shtml
The Shi`ite Triangle
http://www.angryarab.blogspot.com/
Lawful Resistance to Occupation in Najaf
By Marjorie Cohn, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081304A.shtml
Najaf official resigns as fighting continues
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3075
August 13th - The News From Iraq
http://www.wildfirejo.org.uk/feature/display/138/index.php
Najaf assault turns allies against US
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6A9C138C-A809-4B04-AB2D-E2FB092237F4.htm
Mutiny Feared, Iraqi Gov't Seeks Truce In Najaf
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/13/article08.shtml
Al-Sadr demands interim government resign
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/360CB315-97FD-4847-8837-0884E0D3048E.htm
Mahdi Army surrounds Polish troops
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/63E86F0A-19DC-4893-A194-A853BD34EBE9.htm
Top UN envoy for Iraq arrives on first visit, calls for end to fighting in Najaf http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11623&Cr=iraq&Cr1=
114 Killed In 48 Hours, Najaf Peace Talks Fail
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/14/article08.shtml
US onslaught on Najaf triggers protests and fighting across Iraq
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/aug2004/iraq-a14.shtml
Many killed in US bombing of Samarra
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B50857D9-590D-48BB-AA5C-3A7F12A14596.htm
Najaf braces for siege as talks collapse
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/44A9738D-AE01-4AEA-8202-E067EB2E13B5.htm
Najaf Battle.. Allawi's Govt. Biggest Loser
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/15/article02.shtml
Iraqi National Conference Begins, Group Walks Out
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-08/15/article01.shtml
Mortars create chaos at Iraqi conference
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F1B16803-3C3D-4533-83E2-5BAD21E22E11.htm
Al-Mahdi army digs in, hopes for peace deal
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6AD83F50-A872-4FFC-95D0-1EE24A7963E9.htm
Iraq Evicts Reporters from Najaf
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081604W.shtml
Offensive resumes in Najaf, prompting desertions of Iraqi troops
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/9409919.htm
Police Fire at Reporters as U.S. Tanks Roll up to Shrine
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/081704X.shtml
News Blackout in Najaf Deplored
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=1869&blz=1