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November 8th, 2007 5:50 pm

Tribes Trump Religion?

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The structure of Iraqi tribes overlaps sectarian divisions in Iraq…Certain powerful tribes in Anbar for example have their largest following among Iraqi Shiites. Shiites and Sunnis can be members of the same tribe and fight under its banner and vow allegiance to the same tribal chieftain regardless of sect.

I think it’s news to me (at my age, I can’t remember all this stuff), but Azzaman makes it quite understandable. Have a look. He talks about the latest trend in Iraq: ecumenism. Of course you’ve seen Mike Yon’s fabulous photo, right? You haven’t? Feast your eyes on it.

And give thanks.

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3 Comments

Kerub:

what’s a nation, if not a very big tribe?

ML:

America is not a big tribe, not at all. Nor is Iran, or Italy, or Spain, or, as the article shows, Iraq.

There are some nations that are more homogeneous, but plenty that aren’t.

Nov 9, 2007 - 3:31 am Gordon R. Durand:

The link to the article doesn’t work in Firefox. Try this one:
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2007-11-07/kurd.htm

Nov 9, 2007 - 10:20 am Dan:

I met the leader of one of Iraq’s largest tribes who was a Shi’ite and deeply opposed Iranian interference in Iraq, as much as he was opposed to Saddam. Arab Shi’ites are not all in thrall to Tehran. Many are Iraqi nationalists. And tribalism in Iraq is not barbarism nor does it engender conflict. It is a method of social organisation in a secular society that bridges class and religion and stretches back to pre-Islamic times. No wonder the pro-regime Shi’ite militias are keen to downplay the role of tribal identity.

Nov 11, 2007 - 8:49 pm

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