I'm saying the same words. Please god, destroy America...

'Please God, make America collapse'
Rory McCarthy in Baghdad
Saturday December 7, 2002
The Guardian

Mohammad Fadal al-Samarai, a Muslim cleric in central Baghdad, left his congregation in no doubt yesterday about how they should assess mounting US pressure on Iraq.

"Please God keep us safe from the betrayal of the infidel country, and keep them fighting each other," he said as he led the Friday prayers in the Saadeia al-Omari mosque in the smart Mansour district.

"Please God make America collapse. Please God destroy the Jews."

He did not have to make explicit mention of the crucial moment today when the Iraqi government will hand over to the UN what ought to be a "currently accurate, full and complete declaration" of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes.

Every Iraqi gathered in the crowded mosque, like most across the country, was fully aware just how close they are to a potentially devastating war with America.

Most, in public at least, appear to share Dr Samarai's bitter frustration and anger.

"Please God give us martyrdom but keep us strong on the day of battle," Dr Samarai said.

The cleric's words found a receptive audience in the households of Mansour.

Dr Samarai is a widely respected religious leader, a man with a doctorate in economics, who frequently illustrates his religious teachings with reams of statistics. His congregation is largely middle class, comprising those who have perhaps suffered most from 12 years of UN sanctions.

It includes men such as Ahmed Riad, a doctor who speaks flawless English and who was deeply impressed by his cleric's words. "Once, this country was rich," he said. "We had roads, schools, hospitals, the best health system in the region.

"Iraq became a serious worry because the US wants Israel to be the strongest country in the Middle East. Now they tell us we can't run our country and they want to run it for us. Is this fair?"

Dr Riad said he felt US foreign policy had become a personal assault on the Arab and Muslim world, a refrain now common across the Middle East. "It is not true that we are terrorists because we are Muslims," he said. "We are all brothers in religion, followers of God."

The Iraqi dictator rules a nation united in fear, where none would dare voice public criticism of their leader. Although many hint that they want him unseated, there are also widely stated concerns at US ambitions and a strong sense that Iraq's national pride has been unfairly brought down since the 1991 Gulf war.

In a speech on Thursday, marking the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid, President Saddam tried to harness that resentment and frustration.

"Your patience, brothers and comrades, and that of the Iraqi people, is noteworthy," he told a meeting of top Ba'ath party officials. "But your anger and revolt are also great when the situation calls for it."

Preparations for war have begun. Monthly government rations have been doubled and people have begun stockpiling food and fuel.

But that has not stopped their ordinary lives. Thousands of people put aside their worries of an imminent war last night and poured into Baghdad's football stadium to watch two top teams play.

It remains to be seen how much longer President Saddam will be able to exploit their anger and frustrations as the crisis with the US deepens.


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