Americans bow before holy shrine to deter protesters [Yesterday at Najaf, Iraq]

UK Telegragh ^ | April 4, 2003

[george wythe]

American soldiers retreated warily from the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf yesterday after a furious crowd gathered around them to stop foreign soldiers from approaching one of the holiest shrines of Shia Islam.

"Everybody smile!" shouted the platoon commander as he told his baffled men to kneel down and point their weapons at the ground, in a surreal act of submission.

The mightiest army in the world is learning the hard way the awkward art of trying to "win the hearts and minds" of suspicious civilians.

In other cities civilians have largely been bystanders in the military drama, neither rising up to cheer nor uniting to resist.

But in Najaf, hundreds poured into the streets to block the way of American soldiers as they came within sight of the golden dome of the mosque. They waved the soldiers away as some explained in broken English: "In the city, OK. In the mosque, No!"

The mosque is the reputed burial place of Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the first Imam of Shia Islam.

It was damaged by Iraqi forces during the Shi'ite uprising against Saddam Hussein at the end of the 1991 Gulf war. But despite any hatred Najaf's people may harbour for Saddam, they seem resolutely opposed to having "infidel" soldiers violating the holy ground.

Nevertheless, the city's religious authorities seem to be reaching an accommodation with the occupying forces.

According to a US commander in the Gulf, Brig-Gen Vincent Brooks, a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric in Najaf has issued a religious edict urging Iraqis to remain calm and not to hinder American forces.

Across Najaf, American forces searched buildings for Fedayeen paramilitary fighters loyal to Saddam.

US officers said most of the Fedayeen forces had simply dropped their equipment and fled, but some were still putting up a fight.

[george wythe]

This American platoon commander seems to remember this:

"However strong your armies may be, you will always need the favour of the inhabitants to take possession of a province."

Niccoló Machiavelli

[TIGHTEN]

I heard that Al-Sleazerra was reporting that the Shiite's Fatwa was a load of bunk; that he hadn't asked for cooperation with coalition forces. Anyone else hear this or have additional info?

[Bigg Red]

...despite any hatred Najaf's people may harbour for Saddam, they seem resolutely opposed to having "infidel" soldiers violating the holy ground.

But it was okay for Saddam's guys to be shooting at our guys from within the mosque?

[pabianice]

"Everybody smile!" shouted the platoon commander as he told his baffled men to kneel down and point their weapons at the ground, in a surreal act of submission.

Too much sensitivity training crap. This man just reached the end of his career path. American servicemen in uniform are expressly forbidden to bow or kneel.

[Mike Darancette]

Now it will not be Americans that Desecrate a Moslem Holy Place.

[Mister Magoo]

Here's how to win their hearts and minds. Force the Fedayeen Saddam to battle each other in death matches, with wagering on the outcomes.

[KriegerGeist]

This was a complete 180 degrees from what the Fedayeen did to them. I think this commander and his troops showing the Iraqis respect and for their holy shrine did more to cement our "goodwill" towards the Iraqi citizens than any food or water ever can. Too bad Al Jazeera won't show the Arabs of the world this side of us.

[Dead Dog]

How many Muslim solders do we have in the infantry? Probably a couple thousand. Why not use them to liberate the Shi'ite mosque from the Sunni gunmen.

[kms61]

This man just showed good judgement and defused a hostile situation without firing a shot.

Your problem with that is?

[RoseofTexas]

NO, he absolutely did the right thing! The word of God says that we have to be gentle as doves and CUNNING as serpants! This was cunning in my opinion, we'll be back some other day, let them have their precious mosque for now. This wasn't the right time, we have to play our cards right and I totally agree with the commander! WE'LL BE BACK... just you watch!

[george wythe]

Force the Fedayeen Saddam to battle each other in death matches, with wagering on the outcomes.

I'll pay $5 for the pay-per-view show.

Nah, just kidding. I hate to see gore and blood.

[nanny]

Just a what if - what if Saddam was in there?

[RoseofTexas]

OBTW, SadDEMON was HOPING with all his black heart that we'd attack the mosque! That was his intention all along....KUDOS TO THAT BRAVE COMMANDER!

[LS]

I think it was brilliant.

[swarthyguy]

Saw this on a couple of networks.

Have to commend the commanding officer. Smart cookie and excellent intelligent tactic of defusing the anger of the locals. Brilliant, I'd say. Looks like the US army is picking up some of the non violent techniques to really achieve victory.

[discostu]

Fox had the footage on this morning, he saved lives including those of his guys. This wasn't a handful of civilians this was a potential mob and they were EXTREMELY agitated, looked like a riot was starting right then and there, by having his guys back down he difused the situation quickly and without bloodshed. We can setup a perimeter to get the bad guys when they leave and go around the mosque. Much better than pitting a dozen marines against a thousand civilians already in close contact. The guy was very smart.

[george wythe]

This man just showed good judgement and defused a hostile situation without firing a shot.

Quick thinking on his feet.

The American military is the greatest in the world, not just in brute force or high-tech superiority, but also in human sagacity and wisdom.

[PoisedWoman]

I saw it on tv.....the troops were just squatting down facing the crowd, not the shrine. Not kneeling or bowing, just doing a deep-knee bend kind of movement to demonstrate that they were not going into the shrine and had no plans to shoot up anyone or anything. The crowd didn't understand English, but they understood the benign gesture. It was effective, the mob stopped shouting and threatening them. No big deal.

[Joe Brower]

"But it was okay for Saddam's guys to be shooting at our guys from within the mosque?"

That was my first thought -- is this the same Mosque in which 150 of Iraq's "battle-hardened troops" are hiding in order to save their worthless hides?