THE STORY OF KARBALA - PART 3/10

HUSAYN AT THE PLAIN OF KARBALA

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On the 16th of January 1991, US Air Force bombers attacked the country of Iraq, under the code-name Desert Storm, with United Nation's approval. The campaign lasted some six weeks during which several thousand bombing sorties were flown. In all these raids, under strict orders from the US high command, the bomber and fighter pilots carefully avoided damaging the shrines both at Karbala as well as Najaf. However, soon after a cease-fire was declared, an uprising against the oppressive rule of Saddam Hussein erupted in Iraq.

During the skirmishes great damage was done to the shrines at Karbala by the infamous Republican Guards of Saddam Hussein. Who could tell that in our life-times, the shrines would be destroyed, not by an external enemy but, by a local butcher. The pathos that is apparent from the ruins of the shrines cannot be expressed in words. The pictures speak for themselves. The story of the great sacrifice of Husayn and his Companions was revived once again in the memories of the faithful devotees by this latest destruction of the shrines at Karbala.

Before this latest destruction, Karbala was a thriving cosmopolitan town of about 150,000 inhabitants. People from Iran, Syria, India, Pakistan and East African countries had travelled to Karbala and settled down, over the centuries. They still speak their own languages and are actually identifiable with their original nationalities.

No one knows how long it will be before normal life will be resumed once again, in the city of Karbala. For, all utilities have been destroyed. There is no water supply nor is there any electricity. People are dying, mostly children, of hunger and disease.

In spite of all this, there is no doubt in this author's mind that the pilgrims would continue to flock to the shrines at Karbala. Because, it was not the splendor of the golden dome and the crystal chandeliers that attracted them to Karbala. The pilgrims came to pay homage to Husayn and his companions for the great sacrifice they made and the legacy of protest against oppression and tyranny they left for all mankind to follow, and they will continue to do so.

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