CPTnet
December 10, 2003
IRAQ: A visit with the Imam of Baghdad

by Charlie Jackson

[Note: Jackson was a member of the most recent CPT delegation to Iraq.]

When we arrived at the immense Abu Hanifa Mosque, we were escorted around
the outside of the buildings to see the damage done by mortars and missiles
when U.S. invaded the neighborhood last March. Bullet holes and shrapnel
from remote propelled grenades (RPGs.) The mosque's main tower has a hole
carved by a missile from helicopter gunship.

U.S. soldiers also used explosives to enter the room where relics, including
the tomb of Abu Hanifa, are stored. To date, the members of the mosque have
not received even an apology for the damage.

Sheik Al-Adhami is in his early 40's and is the current Imam, or religious
leader, for the mosque. He comes from a family that traces its descent from
the Prophet Mohammed. In his youth he was imprisoned by Saddam Hussein for
many years and can only now speak out freely about that regime and what he
hopes to happen in Iraq.

"Saddam was a devil," he said.

The affable and well-educated Sheik was also critical of the current U.S.
occupation. "The offices [of the Coalition Provisional Authority] promise to
do something but we have seen no things," said the Sheik. "Iraqi people do
not have the peace and security as the U.S. promised before; instead the
situation is getting worse."

We discussed the house raids that have been occurring in his part of the
city and the response, or lack of one, by the CPA. The Sheik called the
Iraqi Governing Council "stooges" for the mistakes of the CPA and said that
they are not regarded by Iraqi leaders, or ordinary citizens, as legitimate.

He said that operation 'Iron Hammer' was exactly the wrong sort of response
to attacks and blamed most of the CPA's actions on their "military
mind(set)" and l local Iraqi leaders' lack of involvement

Of President Bush he declared, "I thought he sounded just like Saddam
Hussein; he's the Saddam Hussein of America who plays the same role to cheat
and deceive the American people."

As we ended he spoke about the CPT's work in Baghdad. "You are writing
history," he said. He said that if people motivated by religion work with
one another then solutions can be found that serve all. "We must guide
others to peace and security and treat them kindly," he said as we finished
our visit.