I felt safer in Iraq than I do in Pakistan

Sure, Iraq is not a dream resort but it is definitely not a hell hole. To assume whoever goes there dies, is not true.

Ali Abbas July 03, 2015
When I told my friends and colleagues about my plans to visit Iraq, I received much criticism and concerns. Understanding that Iraq, like Pakistan, is under a constant threat of terrorism, the response was much anticipated. But unlike Pakistan, Iraq has a history of hosting pilgrims and tourists – even in the face of adversity. And that was what made my resolve to visit this historically rich country even stronger.

Pilgrims usually visit the shrines of Imam Ali (RA), Imam Hussain (RA), Imam Musa Kazim (RA), Imam Taqi–e–Jawad (RA), Imam Ali Naqi (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala, especially of Hazrat Abbas (RA). More than 10 million Shias visit the shrine of Imam Hussain (RA) in the month of Muharram and Safar alone. This visit is driven by the emotional and spiritual connection which these pilgrims have with Imam Hussain (RA).

Therefore, safety is hardly an issue for such visitors and same was the case with me. And strangely, I felt safer and more peaceful in Karbala and Najaf than I do in Karachi. The locals were warm, nice, and helpful. Regardless of the language barrier, they would make an effort to comprehend what we were trying to say. I say this because this wasn’t how the Arabs in Saudi Arabia were like. They were least bothered about what happened to pilgrims from outside the Arabian Peninsula.

Basra airport

While initially my trip was supposed to be a spiritual one, by the time we reached to Kadhimiya, a town located in the northern neighbourhood of Baghdad, my political curiosity caught up with me and I became interested to learn about the socio–political scenario of Iraq.

A street near the shrine of Karbala

No security guard in sight

Upon talking to a few locals – in whatever distorted communication we could have – I got to know that recently the city of Akbar was taken over by the ISIS from the Iraqi army once again. We were told to be careful and stick together no matter what due to security concerns. During the entire journey, my family was surprised to see American and Iraqi soldiers on the roads. But much to our surprise, there wasn’t even a shadow of insurgency. No ISIS, no dying people and no fully-armed men in tanks.

Heck, people there looked happy and not at all worried. If I were not a Pakistani, I would have probably been really confused. I could only logically conclude that the media was showing Iraq in a negative light.

A market near the shrine of Imam Musa Kazim

Since curiosity had sparked, I wanted to gather more information as to where exactly the ISIS, the bombings, and the military were. As my Arabic language skills are non–existent, it took me some time to find local people who knew English. After much investigation, I met a political writer named Nazar al Haery. He has been selling rings with original stones (I verified) and is a Karbalai Arab – his ancestors was born and raised in Karbala. He was also a part of the revolution against Saddam Hussein in 1991. But when the army got to know of his activities and came to arrest him, he fled to Sweden for 10 years. Now, he’s back among his people in order to “serve his country”.

If that wasn’t interesting enough, I also got to know Ali, a 35-year-old Kurdish and a chemistry teacher. Look into the history of Iraq, and you’ll understand why this is interesting.

Coming to the point, Nazar told me that the ISIS threat is now limited to only four states. Some states are vulnerable, others are quite peaceful. Ali clarified that the ISIS problem and the bombing are mostly in central Iraq – Baghdad, Kirk, Dyala, Threct, Arben and Mosul.

Check post at a shrine

However, upon digging deeper into the matter, Ali pointed out that the problems in Iraq are not limited to the ISIS only.

“Religious and sectarian dogmas, obsolete remnants of Saddam’s dictatorship, national, religious, and sectarian intolerance are other major concerns of Iraq. In short, the local people are also hell bent on killing each other,” he said.

When I asked Nazar to share his opinion on the matter, he said that it is the very army of Saddam who provided the ISIS a safe haven. When I spoke of the role of the army and the new government, both Nazar and Ali commented that the army is doing what it can. Sadly, they aren’t very strong.

The Grand Ayatollah Sistani requested the men in Iraq to help the army against the ISIS, passing a fatwa that whoever dies in process will be a martyr. No wonder I saw people bringing coffins into the shrines in Najaf, Karbala and Kadhimiya.

Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Najaf



Upon asking how the new government is performing, Nazar commented,

“During Saddam’s time, if the army heard me say ‘Ya Hussain’, they would immediately have my head. And if he were soft-hearted, he’d imprison me for an indefinite time. The recent government is much better, but we want more.”

Even Ali agreed to Nazar’s stance on “wanting more”, but each time I probed them to tell me what exactly this ‘more’ was, somehow I couldn’t get a concrete answer. Was it the language barrier or were the real matters more complex and difficult to explain? I can’t say, but Nazar and a Pakistani immigrant I met in Iraq, both assured me that the situation is improving and that the threat is being contained.

Six years ago, there were bomb attacks in Karbala, a fact which was confirmed by my caravan guide, Izhar Malik, who has been visiting Iraq often since six years. Nazar with much conviction claims that the ISIS threat will be eliminated within six months.

Pilgrims sleep outside the shrine due unavailability of hotel rooms and due to pilgrims being unable to afford rooms

When I asked him if he is content with his life in Iraq, his response wasn’t very assuring. Ali, however, said that he didn’t care anymore.

If I were to make a conclusion, it would be that people assume the so-called reality of Iraq based on the news or the picture painted by the media, which gives a negative perspective about the situation in Iraq. Therefore, when my friend asked me if I had a death wish going to Iraq, I reminded him how the world views Pakistan, especially after the Taliban insurgency.

Shrine of Imam Musa Kazim

Iraq was at war with Iran for 10 years under the dictatorship of Saddam. Dictatorship itself can ruin a country, and Iraq has always been in a war-like situation since day one. But till we don’t visit a place and meet the people there, presuming the worst or the best isn’t really justified.

Baghdad

Whatever the facts are, my personal experience of Iraq was good. I didn’t have to check my pockets every second minute or keep an eye on my slippers in fear that they may get stolen. When the cell phone of a woman in our caravan was snatched (not on gun point), it was brought to her by a ranger, at our hotel, within an hour. That, added the with nice and warm attitude of the locals, especially the security people, has compelled me to conclude that such an attitude is odd for people stricken with war and terror, and therefore, things aren’t as bad as one might presume.

Sure, Iraq is not a dream resort but it is definitely not a hell hole. To assume whoever goes there, probably dies, is not true. Yes, there are safety concerns here and there, but as a country, Iraq is peaceful and welcoming.

All photos: Ali Abbas
WRITTEN BY:
Ali Abbas The author is a psychology graduate from the University of Karachi and has a flair for performing arts.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (48)

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Look at us Pakistanis. Read all the comments, almost everyone is fighting each other for no reason. First of all, I thank the Author for sharing his experience. I've been to Iraq few times & I agree with the author. Iraq is a safer & peaceful place, apart from the areas which are still at war. Even cities which are exposed to threat seemed peaceful (like Baghdad). I do feel a certain peace when walking in Iraqi streets, bcoz at least no one attempts to kill you. Oh and as far as ISISI beheading is concerned, Iraq is not the only place on earth where terrorists are beheading people. So anyone here who thinks Pakistan is a place in heaven, dudes go to YouTube & look for Pakistani terrorists beheading innocent people, then come back to comment again. I hope Iraq will clear the country from ISIS with the help of neighboring countries like Iran. I also hope soon InshaAllah Pakistan will also be a better & safer place. We as Muslims are all BROTHERS, no matter Pakistani, Iraqi, Irani or whatever. We bow down to 1 Allah, so avoid using a hatred tone against Iran & Iraq & be a MUSLIM if you're a true one. Cheers.
Essop | 8 years ago | Reply I've been to Iraq 3 years ago and I can vouch for their generosity and helpfulness. Iraqis shi'ites are good people. They offered their houses when they discovered we were from Africa.
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