U.S. military preps for Muslim new year celebrations

[unhappycamper]

U.S. troops stay vigilant during Islamic religious celebrations.


U.S. military preps for Muslim new year celebrations
By Vince Little, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, January 19, 2008

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq — With the Islamic new year celebrations culminating Saturday, the U.S. military will step aside for festivities but remain on the lookout for an escalation in violence.

Ashoura is an Islamic religious festival celebrated by both Shiites and Sunnis.

However, Shiites also make an annual pilgrimage to Karbala and many engage in self-flagellation, beating themselves with whips, clubs, chains and even knives to draw blood. The ritual is held to honor Ali Hussein, a martyr thought to be a descendant of the prophet Muhammad. Hussein was killed in 680 while fighting to overthrow Caliph Yazid.

“They want to get rid of the guilt they feel for not defending Husayn at his martyrdom,” said Lt. Col. Peter Baktis, 50, of Brooklyn, N.Y., the 18th Military Police Brigade chaplain.

“It’s their vicarious way of suffering with him. They get themselves into a frenzy — a real frenzy.”


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51746



uhc comment: Nice cover pic, guys.