(13 Sep 2018) LEADIN:
The start of the Islamic New Year has been marked in Baghdad.
Shiite Muslims also celebrate the Ashura, when a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad was killed.
STORYLINE:
The glittering domes of Al-Kadhimiya mosque sparkle in the Baghdad evening sun.
The capital is busy with people out to celebrate the start of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles.
The month is when Shiite Muslims celebrate the historic battle of Karbala, when the grandson of Prophet Mohammad was killed during a siege in Karbala city, 100 kilometres (62 miles)south of Baghdad.
The religious commemoration is known as the Ashura.
"We are in a dire need to know how to welcome Muharram and the anniversary of Ashura, what kind of lesson should we learn?" asks Sheikh Talal Al-Saidi.
"Today the enemies of Iraq are trying to spray their poisons among people, we have seen it days ago when Basra was protesting with other provinces demanding their basic rights, but hidden hands intervene and burnt and sabotaged governmental institutes."
He blames US, British and Israeli influence for the unrest. The oil-rich city of Basra has been at the centre of recent violent protests.
The demonstrations began over failing services and contaminated drinking water but have morphed into a condemnation of Iraq's entire political class, as well as of Iran, which holds a large sway over politics.
Angry demonstrators torched nearly every government building in Basra last week as well as the offices of several Iran-backed militias that operate in the city.
At least 15 people were killed and 249 injured in the clashes.
Iraqi citizen Bilal Al-Mousawi calls for corrupt politicians to be punished and for the formation of a "new, honest government".
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
