SHI'ISM IS FERTILE GROUND FOR SECULAR GOVERNMENT:

Vote in Basra could take secular turn (Thanassis Cambanis, January 21, 2005, Boston Globe)

Residents of this southern city of 1.8 million have learned over the past two years not to criticize the Shi'ite Islamic parties that have controlled its government -- at least, not out loud.

But many Basra residents say they plan to cast votes for secular political parties Jan. 30, defying the omnipresent shadow of the religious figures who claim primacy here. And others who do support the religious parties say practical needs take precedence over doctrine.

The election debate in Basra, taking place mostly in private, gives a strong signal about the surprising range of opinions within Iraq's Shi'ite majority. That could provide a major boost to candidates such as Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular politician who is considered acceptable to the Shi'ite religious establishment.

On a crowded market street in the Tanounia district, hand-printed cloth banners and sleek posters trumpeted the front-runner Shi'ite slate of candidates commonly known by its ballot number, 169.

"The Islamic list, 169, has the most propaganda and biggest organization," said a schoolteacher who gave his name only as Abu Ali, wheeling his bicycle on the crowded market street. "But when you come to the inside of people, they will say, 'We are free; we don't have to choose this list.' "

Looking at the experience of Iran who can still be surprised that the Shi'a don't want a theocracy?

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 21, 2005 8:09 AM