A sheik in Rashad speaks to military representatives about issues facing his community. Department of Defense photo by Journalist 1st Class Jeremy L. Wood.
More than 200 Sheiks - 15 of which were Shia; Sheik Naji, Sheiks Council Chairman; Brig. Gen. Nabel Jawad Kadam, the 4th Iraqi Army Division deputy commander; Deputy Minister of Interior, Maj. Gen. Hussein Kamal; Mayor of Balad, Amer Abdul; and Mayor of Duluyiah, Marwan Muteb Adull were among the attendees.
A prayer reading from the Qu’ran followed by 10 seconds of silence - in honor of the martyrs Sunni and Shia citizens of Balad killed in the past four days by sectarian violence - began the meeting.
Governor Hamed spoke first by stating the reason everyone in attendance was there was because they wanted the violence to end.
The Grand Mufti, Shiek Jamal al Dabaan, stressed that they are all Iraqis no matter their religious beliefs. He spoke of Shia and Sunni marriages and how it’s never been an issue in the past and that above all, they are all Iraqis.
“We’re all related to one strong country,” Jamal said. Those in Balad are our family; they are connected to someone here. We’re all Iraqis, and I think we will be able to overcome this by sticking together.”
Deputy Minister Hussein said he was not there to bring peace and reconciliation; that was for enemies, and he was among friends. He said violence won’t bring back the dead or make wrongs right, and the past days of killings go against Mohamed and Islam.
“We are all together no matter what,” said Sheik Naji. “It is the responsibility of the sheiks to stand up to (the violence) and stand beside our government in supporting laws and in turning in those who are killing the innocent.”
“We’re all brothers in arms,” said Mayor Amer. “We’re all Iraqis and Arabs. Why do we kill innocents? God is the judge and will do justice; it is no one else’s role to judge.”
Every speaker denounced the recent violence in Balad. All stated that working together in the name of religion and tribes was not the answer. They agreed for a need to focus on working together as Iraqis.
Both, Shias and Sunnis at the meeting, agreed to form a committee to address solutions to reduce sectarian violence throughout the country. All agreed the violence must end, and that Iraqis are responsible for seeing that it stops.
Also, as a gesture of goodwill, Governor Hamed secured compensation from Deputy Minister Hussein for those who lost loved ones due to Balad’s recent days of violence.