Uprising By Shiites in Basra Underway; British Pouring Artillery into City

Sky News Live Feed ^ | 03/25/03 | TonyInOhio

[TonyInOhio]

Just monitored on Sky News: embedded reporter says Shiites in Basra have begun, in his words, a "popular uprising" against the Saddam forces still in the city. British Army units are "pouring" artillery into the city (likely isolated areas) preparing to move in.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the pings, guys. I was excited when I heard the news earlier.

[Helen]

One more question, please. Are the terms Shia and Shiite used interchangeably, or are they two different groups? Are the names different only to distinguish Pakistani from Arabian? Do they have a connected and common history?

[Illbay]

"Shia" is short for "Shia Ali," meaning (IIRC, from an explanation by an Iranian friend of mine many years ago) "the martyrdom of Ali."

Ali was a son-in-law of Mohammed, and the Shia branch of Islam believe he was designated by the prophet to succeed him as chief of his tribe (insinuating also, I assume, religious leadership). But there was another relative--brother-in-law, son-in-law, cousin, whatever--who was a rival for that title.

Apparently Ali and his followers were ambushed by this rival's followers, and Ali was killed.

Thus he was a "martyr," and the "Shiites" (that is, followers of "the martyr") believe his was the TRUTH path of Islam.

It is not unlike the eastern vs. western branches of Christianity, save it has been a lot bloodier.

[Helen]

Thank you. I'm beginning to sort of get a vague understanding of the complications behind the religion and the conflict - thanks to you and piasa and others. I've heard the labels forever, but it has always been sort of a surface acceptance of the terms and the religion, and they held a distance that did not particularly pique my curiosity. I'm now trying to catch up. So much to learn - such a short lifespan (and I've already lived half a century)!

[Illbay]

Your realization that there is "so much to learn" about this religion and culture--as any religion and culture--puts you miles ahead of, sadly, far too many FReepers who want to trivialize things through vast oversimplification.

There are centuries of history here. We only see a tiny aperture representing current events.

To say that "all Islam is evil" is to engage in sophistry that isn't even worthy of a junior high school class discussion.

[bt_dooftlook]

The Iraqi man-on-the-street with an AK-47 will be what makes democracy work in Iraq. If he fears coalition liberators more than Saddam's thugs then he will fight us and take his chances; if he wishes freedom for himself and his family, and feels we will not betray his trust, then that AK-47 will be put to good use against the fedayeen and other oppressors...IMHO

[Fractal Trader]

bump