As one would expect, the execution of Saddam Hussain has prompted a lot of debate and discussion on Arab and Muslim websites and blogs. As there is evidently continued interest in the issue, here’s a quick listing of some of the more interesting links and articles we’ve come across. Feel free to suggest others in the comments and we’ll add them.
Abu Eesa offers an Islamic perspective on what took place, writing, “I’d never have ever thought it possible for there to be such a sadness, such support and such unity of feeling from the general Muslims around the world at the death of a man who oppressed and butchered thousands of people during his reign.”
Iraqslogger has a number of interesting posts including a breakdown of what Iraqi forums and websites are saying (including an SMS circulating in Baghdad about Saddam’s face being visible on the moon), and a report on how the Arab media has “lionized” Saddam and “erased” his crimes.
Dar al Hayat are reporting that Rizgar Mohammad Amin, the former chief judge in Saddam’s trial, has declared the execution illegal and contrary to Islamic traditions (by killing Saddam on eid).
Faraz Rabbani’s Seeker’s Digest links to a piece by Glenn Greenwald under “Iraq, Saddam Hussein Hanging, Shameful ‘Legal Workarounds,’ and Sectarian Thugs.”
Riverbend at Baghdad Burning says, “It’s official. Maliki and his people are psychopaths.”
Sami at Iraqi Thoughts writes, “I think today’s end was a bitter disappointment for me because it proved to me once in for all that the government and people in charge of Iraq are jokers.”
Josh Micah Marshall’s Talking Points Memo looks at who took the video on his camera phone and “leaked” it. Could it have been Muwaffak al-Rubaie, Iraq’s shady “national security” chief?
Raed Jarrar at Raed in the Middle writes about the excuses that the government is giving for what happened in the execution room and accuses them of attempting to shift blame.
Belgravia Dispatch write, “…this trial should have taken place in The Hague, or the U.S. should have better strived to recreate a more South African style Truth and Reconciliation Commission in tandem with the Iraqi authorities.”
Iraqpundit says, “I would never have thought it possible that by executing a ruthless mass murderer, Iraq would find a way to disgrace itself. Saddam deserved to hang, yet thanks to the breathtaking stupidity of Nouri Al Maliki’s government, not only have Iraqis been further divided by the hanging, they have been diminished by it.”
Abu Aardvark describes the now infamous debate on al-Jazeera between a Sunni and Shi’a representative that was going well until the Sunni called the Shi’i a Persian.
MEMRI offer a summary of reactions in the Arab press; basically, it’s seems a case of indifference on the killing but disatisfaction with the timing.
Whilst not directly related to the Saddam execution but nonetheless relevent to the broader issue of sectarian squabbles, Aqoul’s MSK discusses how to tell a Shi’i from a Sunni by their name.
3 comments ↓
Salaams,
Both Abu Easa and Iraq Pundit begin on the note that what has occurred couldn’t have been guessed; one referring to Muslim unity and the other to Iraqi disgrace. I disagree with both. History bears proof that people with their hands tied do squabble over leftovers, maybe in incubated fantasy that something might emerge from it but it is a reality nonetheless.
With everything gone, people will seek a familiar symbol that has been destroyed under colonialism even if that wasn’t right to begin with, but there is no other alternative. For many Muslims, this symbol is Saddam Hussein against the symbol of occupation and Shia dominance. Dahr Jamail paints a poignant scene in a recent report:
//A nine-year-old girl from Fallujah who is a refugee in Baghdad said she cried when she saw the footage on television. “Why did they do it in Eid? Why did they put it on TV to scare us?”//
Did this nine-year-old girl know Saddam Hussein personally, but to her as she might have heard from her parents, he was a symbol of a human need called protection.
The Saddam execution has had a dramatic immediate impact on the trial of his co-defendants whose trials have been delayed in anticipation of an expert US judicial team rumored to be lead by Judge Judy.
The gravel voiced dominatrix of American daytime justice-TV was thought to be the first choice of Iraqi PM Nouri Al MAlaki.
“It’s either her way or the highway. She brings a credibility to the judicial proceedings that has been lacking.” he said. “It’s been like Muharram out here (since the video tape release), but I’ve told my staff not to flagellate themselves”
Judge Judy confirmed that she had been approached and had entered into informal discussions about the trial process. “Its important we get the procedural details right, otherwise there will be no credibility, no decorum” she said. “From what I can see, Saddam was not even offered a cigarette at the gallows, how poor is that?. I also want to get the best lines, not the bad guy.”
She insisted on full control of wardrobe and lighting, “I want the black gown, but with an embroidered collar, its a deal breaker”.
PM Malaki said that they had been waiting sometime for JJ, “she is in the pipeline, …we are used to that.”
[…] UPDATE (6/1): As well as looking at the reaction of blogs in Australia, this site details some of the links and articles on Arab and Muslim websites and blogs, as well as gives its own view. Regular Australian Muslim commentator, Irfan Yusuf also gives his view. « Palm Island inquiry mess gets worse | More on Palm Island and Indigneous justice » […]
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