[Dog]

Baghdad, Iraq-AP -- An attack today apparently targeted one of the most prominent Shiite Muslim clerics in Iraq.

A bomb went off outside the home of Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim in the holy city of Najaf (NAH'-jahf). Three guards were killed and several other people were injured, including family members. The cleric himself reportedly suffered scratches on his neck.

The bomb went off after midday prayers. The explosive was made up of a gas cylinder wired to explode.

Iraqi newspapers had reported last week that al-Hakim had received threats against his life. He was also among a group of three top Shiite leaders who were threatened with death by a rival cleric shortly after Saddam Hussein was toppled.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[thinktwice]

This war's major combatants includes a religion.

The concept of religious war is unusual to people living today, but there is nothing unusual about it in history. Catholic popes were leading forces into battle only a few centuries ago.

America will lose this war if the warring wings of Islam are not clipped with overwhelming force.