Tackling Kirkuk
Kirkuk was founded some 4,500 years ago by the Hurrians, it was then conquered by the Assyrians, then it was overrun by the Iranians, then by the Turks, then the Arabs, and now it is part of Iraq. Kurds and Assyrians have lived there since time immemorial and Arabs and Turkmen have also lived there for centuries... So who does Kirkuk belong to? Every time I think about this question the words of Orlando Bloom (Kingdom of Heaven) come to mind:
"What is Jerusalem? Your [Christian] holy places lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down. The Muslim places of worship lie over yours. Which is more holy?...The Wall? The Mosque? The Sepulchre? Who has claim? No one has claim…All have claim!".
So what to do with a city that can rightfully be 'claimed' by more than 3 large ethnic groups? Thankfully the Mehdi Army militiamen have gone back to petty crime, brick-laying, garbage cleaning e.t.c and the insurgency in Iraq is in the last throes, this time its for real and not even the democrats or al-Qaida can deny it. That leaves everyone else in Iraq with the chance to complain about the electricity or heat, and of course the future of Kirkuk.
The issue shouldn't revolve around "historical claim" or "demographics", because on those grounds Iraq could annex Kuwait (again) and send its armed forces to south-western Iran to turn Khuzistan (Arabistan) into the 20th province. Even though many tribes in both Kuwait and Ahwaz have historically always been part of those in Basra they live in separate countries, and that is tough luck for Iraq. A large chunk of an oil-rich region was simply taken away from Iraq and given to a ruling family (al-Sabahs). When there is a ceremony on the other side of the river many tribesmen in both Basra and Ahwaz casually (and illegally) cross over to take part. For them the 'border' is nothing more than an inconvenience.
The problem with Kirkuk is that no one is willing to compromise. Its not just about the labeling of the city as 'Kurdish' or 'Turkmen' or even whose ancestors historically lived there first. The issue of Kirkuk revolves around oil...all one million barrels of it that is pumped out every day.
The Kurds say thousands of Arab families relocated there will negatively impact the elections, the Turkmen say they don't want to be administered by the Kurds (Turks control Kurdish land in Turkey and they don't want the reverse to happen in Iraq) and the Arabs want to be part of the 'Arab nation'.
A census/referendum would have been something the Kurds would have gladly accepted 40 or 50 years ago, but bar splitting up the city along ethnic lines (as the rest of Iraq is starting to get in shape there must be hundreds of tones of redundant concrete slabs) and giving each ethnic group a slice of the pie I can't see a solution for Kirkuk in the short-run and I pray things do not get out of hand, because if they did...well let's not even go there.
"What is Jerusalem? Your [Christian] holy places lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down. The Muslim places of worship lie over yours. Which is more holy?...The Wall? The Mosque? The Sepulchre? Who has claim? No one has claim…All have claim!".
So what to do with a city that can rightfully be 'claimed' by more than 3 large ethnic groups? Thankfully the Mehdi Army militiamen have gone back to petty crime, brick-laying, garbage cleaning e.t.c and the insurgency in Iraq is in the last throes, this time its for real and not even the democrats or al-Qaida can deny it. That leaves everyone else in Iraq with the chance to complain about the electricity or heat, and of course the future of Kirkuk.
The issue shouldn't revolve around "historical claim" or "demographics", because on those grounds Iraq could annex Kuwait (again) and send its armed forces to south-western Iran to turn Khuzistan (Arabistan) into the 20th province. Even though many tribes in both Kuwait and Ahwaz have historically always been part of those in Basra they live in separate countries, and that is tough luck for Iraq. A large chunk of an oil-rich region was simply taken away from Iraq and given to a ruling family (al-Sabahs). When there is a ceremony on the other side of the river many tribesmen in both Basra and Ahwaz casually (and illegally) cross over to take part. For them the 'border' is nothing more than an inconvenience.
The problem with Kirkuk is that no one is willing to compromise. Its not just about the labeling of the city as 'Kurdish' or 'Turkmen' or even whose ancestors historically lived there first. The issue of Kirkuk revolves around oil...all one million barrels of it that is pumped out every day.
The Kurds say thousands of Arab families relocated there will negatively impact the elections, the Turkmen say they don't want to be administered by the Kurds (Turks control Kurdish land in Turkey and they don't want the reverse to happen in Iraq) and the Arabs want to be part of the 'Arab nation'.
A census/referendum would have been something the Kurds would have gladly accepted 40 or 50 years ago, but bar splitting up the city along ethnic lines (as the rest of Iraq is starting to get in shape there must be hundreds of tones of redundant concrete slabs) and giving each ethnic group a slice of the pie I can't see a solution for Kirkuk in the short-run and I pray things do not get out of hand, because if they did...well let's not even go there.
posted by Eye Raki at 11:01 PM
25 Comments:
Nicely done, man. I recently posted on what I considered the major issues about this at IBC. As George Packer said about Kirkuk in 2004, "The legacy of Saddam" (and the Ba3thists) "is extremism" and an "obsession with ethnic identity".
You're right that no one wants to compromise. Each side (Arab and Kurd) is convinced the other wants to make him his bitch. With only a smidgen of humility, this problem would go away, which means it won't. If both sides would acknowledge that they know each desperately needs the other in their dangerous neighborhood then the Kirkuk problem would consist of merely paying reparations to those whose property was taken by the Ba3thists.
Would a return to the pre-Ba3thist flag help?
On the other hand, isn't it great that Iraq is in good enough shape at last for this issue to return to the front of political problems?
EyeRaki,
At Tamin province is ready for PIC. The IA has fully transfered security responsibility of the province to the IP (Iraqi Police.) The IP in At Tamin are further along than anywhere except Sulamaniya, Dahuk, Irbil, and "maybe" Najaf. It is already close to de facto PIC than most Iraqi PIC provinces. (PIC = Provincial Iraqi Control.)
However, it does not have PIC because of politics. It is nominally under American control, but de facto under IP control.
My understanding is that a slight majority of the population is now Kurdish, and that a referendum would almost certainly lead to KRG annexation.
Hope the UN can negotiate some delay in the referendum.
Maybe the new provincial government will be able to govern in a less sectarian and more nationalist manner? I hope so.
Haydar, read over your facts. There is no 'Arabistan' and it's daft to suggest there ever was. Also FYI, it is Ahwaz not A7waz ,nor is there an Arabian gulf.Funny I should be saying this to you considering you obvious 'A3jami' roots. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just there's no point in acting like an Iranophobic Arab Nationalist bigot ,ESPECIALLY when your name happens to be Khoei. I mean what's next, 'alFors alMajoos'?
Interesting post nevertheless.
I'm going to have to have to disagree with your second post moneer, not a very interesting read at all. Let me remind you that if it was not for those brick layers building his house strong, they would have done the world a favor by making it fall on top of his head while without those garbage collectors he would be left to rot with his fellow filth. Those petty thieves exist because your family are enjoying splashing out their khoms while turning away and rejecting them as pathetic mi3dan who would only deserve respect if they come dressed in a suit and tie, with a checkbook ready.
Now if you ever ask why people turn to Moqtada, then thats your answer.
jawad, jealous of the Khoeis? They are far greater than you. Yeah, I am sure all poor Shia Iraqis are delighted that Muqtada lives in an Iranian mansion larger than the house of any Khoei.
To be fair, many poor Shia simultaneously back the Sadrs, Maliki, Hakim, Sistani and the Khoeis. Muqtada's family deserves great respect for the two great late Sadrs.
cmar, aside from the recent reports of voilence in Diyala and Mousil, yes you are right the fact that this is being discussed by everyone is just another sign of Malikis success in bringing stability to the country.
I would much rather Iraqis argue over Kirkuk like this than lob grenades at each other elsewhere.
"munir" if you know nothing about Arabistan I suggest you read and then come here and pretend you know what you are talking about.
I never said "A7waz", if there is a problem with your eyesight that is not my problem.
FYI, Khoy is a Kurdish/Turkish city in Azerbayjan, my grandfathers who settled there were the descendants of the Prophet...Mohammed was not an "3ajmi" (and if he was than that is news for me, but yes you are right there is nothing wrong with being an 3ajmi).
"Jawad" in case you didn't know, many of Moqtadas supporters also love the Khoei family, not because they are Khoeis but because they love the hawza and marja'iya. When I was stopped at a checkpoint by the Mehdi Army in 2004 (in the middle of the Iraqi-American attack) I was given a free and safe pass to the city and was even offered accomodation by the militiamen, many of whom love all Sayyids/clerics.
Its funny you should mention the checkbook, because many of Moqtada's supporters join him for the few hundred dollar salary at the end of the month.
"munir" and "Jawad" thank you for visiting my blog.
Arabistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Arabistan" or "Arabestan" may refer to:
* The name of the Arabian Peninsula
* The country "Arabistan al-Saudiyah", which is the name which is used by some countries in the region for Saudi Arabia. (the suffix "-istan" or "-estan" is the Persian and Turkish equivalent of the Latin suffix "-ia")
* The region of Khuzestan was also called "Arabistan", in some chronicles and reports, mainly during the Qajar era of the 19th century.
Arabistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Fully protected
"Arabistan" or "Arabestan" may refer to:
* The name of the Arabian Peninsula
* The country "Arabistan al-Saudiyah", which is the name which is used by some countries in the region for Saudi Arabia. (the suffix "-istan" or "-estan" is the Persian and Turkish equivalent of the Latin suffix "-ia")
* The region of Khuzestan was also called "Arabistan", in some chronicles and reports, mainly during the Qajar era of the 19th century.
Anonymous ^^^^
There is no such thing as Arabistan, Kurdistan, or Palestine.
Any name given to a state or land has to be first recognized by "munir al-alawi" for it to be real.
If he doesn't agree with these fake names, then they only exist in the minds of anti-Iranian, anti-Turkish and anti-Israeli bigots.
Anand: 'jawad, jealous of the Khoeis? They are far greater than you. Yeah, I am sure all poor Shia Iraqis are delighted that Muqtada lives in an Iranian mansion larger than the house of any Khoei.'
Surely that is a joke. Any Khoei? Maybe you should come to London more often and then make such a far fetched and dubious statement. You wont be disappointed with the mansions or the cars owned by the Khoeis :)
Or rather go to Iran if you consider Moqtada to be there and see if you can spot a mansion or to Iraq and see if you can spot on there too. I really love how you make such assumptions without even knowing the full extend of the reality.
Oh god. Here we go again with the Rolex watches and flashy Ferrari cars which we parade around in.
Bro, Khoeis have since moved it up a notch, we can now only be seen flying around in helicopters (!)
Seriously where do you people come up with this BS? Probably something that started in a 'gahwa' and ended up with you hearing it from someone else who heard it from his next door neighbour.
Since you are so obsessed with where other people live and what cars they drive I advise you to come to Hannana in Najaf and see Moqtadas "humble" home for yourself.
is it true the khoei family house has an electronic gate and they have personalised licence plates on their Mercedes car
The khoeis never followed the humble and modest lifestyles associated with many of the great Najafi maraji3, thats for sure. Even though I do not know them personally,i can still remember the new Jaguar car parked outside the Khoei Islamic centre,bearing the personalised number plate 'Khoei'.It is not to say that i am judging them solely on their financial gains,but rather questioning how such a marji3's family came to be this wealthy.
I am sure many are aware of the main theory behind this.
Nevertheless, I also recall my visit to Najaf in 2003 in which i personally saw the car Moqtada Al-Sadr was driven around in. Just in case you were curious, it was an ancient volvo car which had no front bumper and was still operational only by a miracle.
With all due respect, sarcasm is not going to paint a perfect picture of your family.
I heard that the Khoei boyz be flying around in Ferrari helicopters and light their cigarettes with $1,000 bills after enjoying a breakfast comprized of:
* omlette make of Faberge eggs
* bowl full of Rolex watches
9a7?!?!?!!?
Anonymous, your comparison is not as brilliant as you may think...
Of course the criminal boy Moqtada doesn't have a flashy car in Iraq, gimme a break. If he were in London would he also be rockin an old vehicle? Doubt it.
I hope you are sitting down here... but I have something to tell you:
Ready?
Najaf and London are two very different cities!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAW
‘Kadhimiya gangster’
You seem to follow the same line as your fellow ‘Eyeraki’. The Sarcasm you so boastfully demonstrate isn’t very impressive and makes you’re defence incredibly weak. What I will say is... I’ll hand it to ya, Najaf and London are two very different cities, especially for those who have millions of stolen dollar bills to squander. It’s a shame those in Iraq and elsewhere in the Shia world could not see where their khums was being spent. And yes, I will take this opportunity to condemn how the khums is collected and distributed, taking into account the many ‘corrupt black turbans’ we have within our leadership. I just hope the infallible view many underprivileged Iraqis hold in respect to seyyeds is lifted soon. Maybe Moqtada Al-Sadr isn’t perfect, but at least he didn’t sell out his country to imperialist scum, unlike the many ‘honourable’ expats who came in on the back of American tanks.
I am Najafi, and I understand the cultural strides our society needs to take to allow independant thinking to bloom. As much as I respect religious scholars, I feel it necessary for people to question them and even oppose them when they are wide of the mark. The Najaf I see today is rife with corruption, cut up like a cake for the wealthy and powerful. I just pray to see the day that people take back the dignity they rightfully deserve and break the shackles of dictatorship they have been put under. It is not only political freedom we yearn for but also the liberty to think and express ourselves without restraint, instead of idolising leaders who rear the weak like cattle in their favour.
Anonymous. I am about to tell you something you may never have heard before in your life.
Clerics are allowed to have a normal job. Clerics are allowed to go into business. Clerics are allowed to buy shares. Shia clerics are not like Buddhist Monks who are not allowed to own anything. They can be just as poor and as rich as any other normal human being.
I also think there needs to be reform in the marja'iya and more transparency, but it doesn't mean I have the right to level accusations left, right and center. You can question all you like for as long as you like, but if you are simply pissed off that one or two families are well-off then there is an Iraqi phrase I would like you to learn and practice. Roo7 dug raasek 3ala 2alif hayi6.
You are right the great Sayyid Moqtada did not sell out to the Americans, instead he sold Iraq to the Iranians and fled to the Islamic Republic as soon as he felt the heat.
Its interesting how the Khoeis bring Moqtada into everything, guess old rivalries die hard. However what is more interesting is their justifications of the business of Islam done by them and their associaties. I do wonder what their Grandfather would have made of their such dubious justifications.
As for Moqtada going to Iran when the heat was turned on, I find that hilarious that every now and then if something about Moqtada is mentioned the first thing someone against him would say is that he is in Iran even when he would be in Iraq sitting in Najaf or elsewhere in Iraq they would bring in Iran into it. And as for the heat in your case we all know what you are referring to and I guess vengence is sweet for you and your likes so keep going!
Wow Wow Wow ... Hayder you’re making it big these days huh. Politics is really you're thing. I think it maybe just one of those family honour things, just a shame you take such a pro western line. I guess you are just trying to follow in your late father's footsteps. I really hope you don’t continue to let old grudges shape the stance you take. I am disappointed at how you're recent articles are aimed at Moqtada al sadr and Iran. I understand that there are rifts between the sadrists and khoeis, but we need to unite and not weaken each other by making such unjustified accusations. Since you are so anti Iranian, I ask which country in the Middle East or elsewhere is actually supporting the shia cause... NONE. They are all conspiring against us and you are feeding the flames of sectarianism within our own community.
I am sorry to say that I can draw parallels between the way you write and some of the nasabi anti shia governments in the region. I think emotions are distorting your judgement and you should look at more important current issues in Iraq instead of dwelling on the past. My comments are not meant to demean you, but I just want you to know that i don’t agree with many of your views. Best of luck for the future.
Anonynous #1
What is more hilarious is that the tough guy Iraqi nationalist Moqtada ran to the Revolutionary Guards for protection.
In case you have a very short term memory span, or if you just can't read properly, this post was regarding Kirkuk, the person who first mentioned Moqtada was Mr "Jawad".
Anonymous #2
Of course I am going to have a "grudge" against Moqtada and his people. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would think that my feelings towards them are not normal feelings a human being should have.
I do not know what you would think about a group of people if they had tied your fathers hands behind his back, stabbed him repeatedly, dragged his body across the street and then shot him dead, but I do know that you are not going to have very nice things to say about them.
But here is something you should know, the issue of Moqtada (for me) is not just about my father or the other two sayyids killed on that day, it is much much bigger than that. My city and my country was plagued by his thugs and thousands of innocent lives were lost because of them.
Now finally Iraq can relax because he is reading textbooks in Qum and his thugs have been pushed underground, so excuse me if I sound a bit too excited, but I am simply relishing the moment.
I think this is a case where a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. First of all, my mentioning of the naming of Ahwaz was simply for future reference in case you decide to make any more outrageous claims. As for using Wikipedia as a source of reference, I don’t know what you do, but for most courses I know of ,that means an automatic Yellow card since it is well known that it is a largely non credible source. And if you want to use sarcasm to somehow ridicule me, perhaps you should take a look at this for instance: http://www.persiangulfonline.org/images/Map875.jpg and notice the mentioning or ‘Chusistan’ or and ‘Curdestan’ and Palestine and fails to mention the so called Arabistan. Hmmmm...Why? Because unlike them ‘Arabistan’ never really gained formal recognition as a name. In fact, before you write, think or simply ask ANYONE (especially clerics) around you how ridiculous the name ‘Arabistan’ comes across especially when a very large proportion of the population are Persians, Qashqai or Lur and that large scale Arab migration only ever took place some 400 years ago . Perhaps you may also want to take a good look at this link which has listed a wide range ARABIC sources mentioning Khuzestan: http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Origin_of_the_name_Khuzestan_-_Supporting_Documentation/id/5356352. The name is known to have only ever been popularised under the days of Saddam as well as allied nationalist groups who have claimed an area that encompasses most of the Persian gulf coast.
Also, FYI I have been to Khoy and it is a beautiful town. I am astonished to see that you are ignorant of ( or simply trying to hide) the fact that it lies in IRANIAN Azerbaijan or to be more precise the IRANIAN province of Azerbaijan-e Gharbi, not confused with the former soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
I also know that Moqtada inherited two homes from his father in 7ay Al-Ishtiraki And Al-7anana. But perhaps if you were to step out of the Sirdab for once, you would see that though both are affluent areas, they do not, in any way, display the opulence you seem to suggest.
Now, a couple of times i have been tempted to make a make a much more scathing attack. But i am constantly reminded of the Koranic verse:
فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلاَ تَقْهَرْ
I do understand that you lost your father at a young age, and that has caused you an immeasurable amount of pain.But acting like a jealous gossip queen won't do much for anybody, I tell you.
Munir Al-Alawi, I commend you for remembering the verse:
فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلاَ تَقْهَرْ
How did Hayder act as "acting like a jealous gossip queen"?
Hayder strikes me as restrained, which is a virtue in all faiths.
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