Devout Shia Spoil Baghdad Football Party

Recent clashes between football fans and Muslim worshippers have focussed attention on growing tensions between the city’s secular residents and its increasingly assertive Shia community.

Following Iraq’s 1-0 Asia Cup victory over the United Arab Emirates on January 15, dozens of supporters rushed into the streets in Baghdad’s Karrada district, chanting the national anthem, dancing and firing gunshots in the air.

But the public celebrations in this diverse, middle-class Baghdad suburb upset devout Shias camping out on the streets ahead of Arbaeen – a 40-day holiday commemorating the death of the revered Shia leader, Hussein – during which public celebrations are strictly forbidden.

The death of Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Mohammed who was beheaded in the seventh-century battle of Karbala, emboldened the Shia and deepened the schism with the Sunni.

During the recent Baghdad clashes, the Shia worshippers, clad in black, chanted religious rites over the shouts of the football fans. Several people were injured and nearly two dozen cars were damaged as the two groups fought.

While brawls over football are commonplace worldwide, those at the scene saw the clash as evidence of the growing intolerance of the capital’s Shia faithful.

During its 30 years in power, Saddam Hussein’s Sunni-led secular regime banned public commemorations for Hussein and the pilgrimage to Karbala, which comes at the end of Arbaeen.

Today, alcohol shops are shuttered during the mourning period, drawings of Hussein are hung throughout the capital and chairs are lined up on major boulevards to accommodate pilgrims as they make their way to Karbala.

That Shia are now able to commemorate Arbaeen so publicly is seen as a mark of progress in country where religious freedoms have for so long been brutally repressed. But some fear their increasing assertiveness is threatening secular voices in the country.

One football fan who was injured in the scuffles said Shia worshippers cracked the hood of his car with sticks as he played songs on his CD player.

“I was cursed but I did not do anything,” said the 31-year-old civil servant, who asked not to be named. “I saw them beating others, which was enough to keep me silent.

“I didn’t violate any Iraqi laws. Why was I treated and insulted this way? These actions might stoke hostility among other citizens. [Radicals] will not hesitate to use their power to take revenge against anyone who opposes them."

Abu Dhergham, a devout Shia who was in Karrada during the clashes, said the football fans were to blame celebrating publicly during Arbaeen.

“They are immoral and do not respect Hussein,” he said. “They violate this holy period and this sacred occasion.

“Next time we’ll stop them from holding their immoral events here, where Hussein's name should be respected.”

Security forces denied accusations that they did little to stop the fighting. One officer, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said they were outnumbered, with only four or five officers at the scene.

Baghdad security forces spokesman Tahseen al-Shekhli also denied charges that they did not intervene.

“Both groups have the right to exercise their freedoms, but aggression is not acceptable,” he said.

Days later, shards of glass remained on the street where the clashes broke out. The area was cordoned off prior to the next qualifying game against North Korea, four days later. The game passed off peacefully; fans said this time they celebrated their 1-0 victory in their homes, out of respect for – and fear of – Shia worshippers.

“We don’t want to stage any celebrations in our neighbourhood because we will be criticised and blamed for it later,” Ali Hussein, a 19-year-old Karrada resident, said. “We don’t know what the consequences will be.”

Some devout Shia were quick to point out that they have nothing against football fans celebrating important victories, so long as they show respect for their religious holidays.

Hussein Mohammed Hasan, a 41-year-old Shia barber, who watched the North Korea match on television, said he refrained from celebrating the Iraqi team’s victories, “but I wouldn’t stop others from [privately] showing their happiness. Everyone can do whatever he likes in his home”.

Iraq’s Asian Cup triumph in 2007 was widely seen as a victory not only for the Iraqi team, but also for national unity. Iraqis across ethnic and sectarian lines rejoiced after the win, which appeared to galvanise the nation.

In contrast, the Karrada incident was an embarrassment and should have been officially condemned, Kadhim al-Meqdadi, a professor of media at Baghdad university, said.

“These events send a message to the international community that Iraq is not a civilised country and isn’t stable, which will hurt investments and Iraq’s economy,” he said.

Abeer Mohammed is IWPR Iraq’s senior local editor and Hazim al-Shara is an IWPR Iraq television producer. They are based in Baghdad.