Baghdad, NU Online
Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr urged Iraqis on Monday to paint the concrete barriers springing up around Baghdad with murals showing what he dubbed the “ugly face” of the US military in Iraq.
American and Iraqi forces are gradually building a series of walls around or between some Baghdad neighbourhoods, in what their commanders call a “concrete caterpillar” designed to protect residents from sectarian violence.<>
But many Iraqis argue that the barricades will only heighten tension between Sunnis and Shiites by segregating the once mixed city.
Baghdad council has employed professional artists to paint the walls with calming landscapes and scenes depicting Iraq’s natual beauty but Sadr — a firebrand preacher and militia leader — has something more dramatic in mind.
“I call on you to draw magnificent tableaux that depict the ugliness and terrorist nature of the occupier, and the sedition, car bombings, blood and the like he has brought upon Iraqis,” he said, in a statement issued by his office.
“Paint the civilisation of Iraq and the ugliness of the occupier. Paint the bright face of Iraq and the ugly face of the occupier,” he continued.
“Draw with your pens and brushes your suffering caused by the occupier, leading to shortages of services and the theft of your rights. Long live those hands that depict the reality and injustice and the duty of the government.”
US commanders insist that the walls are built in cooperation with Iraqi forces — often with the support of some of the local residents — and that there is no intention to divide the city on sectarian lines.
Nevertheless, the programme has inspired several street protests and criticism from a number of Iraqi politicians. (afp/dar)
Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr urged Iraqis on Monday to paint the concrete barriers springing up around Baghdad with murals showing what he dubbed the “ugly face” of the US military in Iraq.
American and Iraqi forces are gradually building a series of walls around or between some Baghdad neighbourhoods, in what their commanders call a “concrete caterpillar” designed to protect residents from sectarian violence.<>
But many Iraqis argue that the barricades will only heighten tension between Sunnis and Shiites by segregating the once mixed city.
Baghdad council has employed professional artists to paint the walls with calming landscapes and scenes depicting Iraq’s natual beauty but Sadr — a firebrand preacher and militia leader — has something more dramatic in mind.
“I call on you to draw magnificent tableaux that depict the ugliness and terrorist nature of the occupier, and the sedition, car bombings, blood and the like he has brought upon Iraqis,” he said, in a statement issued by his office.
“Paint the civilisation of Iraq and the ugliness of the occupier. Paint the bright face of Iraq and the ugly face of the occupier,” he continued.
“Draw with your pens and brushes your suffering caused by the occupier, leading to shortages of services and the theft of your rights. Long live those hands that depict the reality and injustice and the duty of the government.”
US commanders insist that the walls are built in cooperation with Iraqi forces — often with the support of some of the local residents — and that there is no intention to divide the city on sectarian lines.
Nevertheless, the programme has inspired several street protests and criticism from a number of Iraqi politicians. (afp/dar)
