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.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

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.

Sensitivity training my a$$. This guy defused a bad situation without firing a shot. The didn't bow, they "hit a knee" with their weapons at the ready. If that's against Army policy I know about 2,000 guy's that need to be brought up on charges.

[RoseofTexas]

Well, we rule the night so if the DEMON wants to hide in a mosque, let it be. HIS A** IS COOKED EITHER WAY!! We'll wait, for night fall!

[omega4412]

But when we control Iraq, we will need to search every mosque (school, hospital...) in the country for weapons.

[discostu]

how are the civilians supposed to tell the difference between Christian US soldiers and Muslim US soldiers. Isolate it, avoid it, and when it's convenient deal with the guy in charge of the mosque and figure out what to do with as little damage to the building as possible.

[nanny]

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.

Given the current atmosphere in this country from our administration - he will get a medal and a promotion. We must make them 'love' us - we can't deport any muslim illegal - we must be 'tolerant'.

I don't like it - but who am I - just an old dinosaur.

[Billthedrill]

Concur - I saw that clip too. And there were Muslim clerics interposing themselves between the crowd and the troops.

A little respect never hurts. Greases the social skids, and it doesn't make 'em bulletproof.

[hardhead]

Bowing down before false gods.

[george wythe]

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.

Thanks for adding this, since I did not see it on TV

[byrdy]

They will likely do a spin job, showing it as a successful civilian resistance to the 'great satan" army.

[nanny]

Well, we rule the night so if the DEMON wants to hide in a mosque, let it be. HIS A** IS COOKED EITHER WAY!! We'll wait, for night fall!

That was really tongue in cheek - but do you really think they are going to 'defile' that mosque after dark. I think that would really mean that commander's career.

[NittanyLion]

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.

The man defused a dangerous situation, without firing a shot, on camera. Had this scene turned into a riot there would've been a serious impact upon our overall goals. I suspect his superior officers praised him for his quick-thinking response.

[Vulpes]

It depends on how he had them kneel.

Both knees on the ground = submission.

One knee on the ground = Stable shooting platform if the crowd rushes. This would be a classic military stance.

[Billthedrill]

His exact order - "take a knee." I say again, smart feller.

[js1138]

Wonder what American Muslims think when they see this?

[Texas Gal]

"The mosque is the reputed burial place of Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the first Imam of Shia Islam."
That is why they are allowing people to shoot from inside of it?

[RoseofTexas]

I believe once they see we don't mean any harm to them or their precious mosques, I think the Iraqis will turn over any suspecious elements hiding in the mosques. What I heard from reports was that the Muslim Clergy were under house arrest, so once we capture the WHOLE town, I think they will help us clense the evil ones outta there! SadDEMON's plan will eventually backfire on him and his men!!

[m1911]

I think it was brilliant. When I saw it yesterday I was amazed at the self control the soldiers had. One of the guys was holding his rifle upside down, by the barrel, while someone screamed at him in a foreign language and wagged his finger in the GI's face.

Respect was the way to go here.

[Britton J Wingfield]

The common military command is 'take a knee'.

[r9etb]

I suspect his superior officers praised him for his quick-thinking response.

Hell, I'll praise the guy, too. He did exactly the right thing.

[thtr]

Bravery all around – Brave for the crowd to assemble around their mosque and brave for the soldiers to point their weapons down.