Telegraph Group Limited, Confusion, violence and the threat of increased attacks against targets associated with the American-led occupation yesterday marked the beginning of Iraq's first Muslim holy month of Ramadan since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Religious leaders gave warning that the rocket attack on the Baghdad hotel where Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy US defence secretary, is staying was just the start of a new campaign of violence during a “month of jihad”.
It will be carried out not only by Ba'ath party loyalists but by angry young zealots inspired by the prospect of a month of religious exaltation.
“We are Muslims in Iraq and Ramadan is the month of jihad. Every Muslim can see that we have invaders in our country.
“There are many who want to see the Americans driven out by any means,” said Sheikh Douhi Abdul Jalil Ibrahim of the Abu Hanifa mosque in Baghdad. The mosque is the centre of the Sunni sect, from which Saddam and many of his fellow Ba'athists were drawn.
The sheikh's views are relatively mild compared with those peddled by smaller mosques in the impoverished suburbs of the Iraqi capital, where mullahs wield a tremendous amount of influence and have little sympathy with the American cause. One sheikh at a mosque in Sadr city, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Every day I have people tell me they are very angry with the Americans and wish to attack them. What can I say?”
Such sentiments jar with American efforts to persuade Iraq's restive people that they are in Iraq to help rebuild the country. For the month of Ramadan, Baghdad's six-month-long curfew has been lifted in order to enable fasters to attend the nightly prayers and eat in their mosques. Soldiers on patrol have been ordered to eat and smoke only indoors or out of sight.
“We've had army chaplains go and tell our boys about the Muslim rites and customs. We have to respect them and keep telling them about how much better things are now than under Saddam,” said Capt Chris Danbeck of the 1st Armoured Division on guard near the Sadr mosque.
The beginning of Ramadan, however, proved an example of why many Iraqis are questioning the benefits of the US-led occupation. Under the former regime, the sighting of the new moon that heralds the start of Ramadan was announced by a government agency. This year the lack of central command has led to furious disputes between Sunni and Shia groups eager to declare to the nation the start of the holy month.
A power cut during the crucial hours also prevented a broadcast announcement. Thousands of Iraqis were unaware yesterday that it was the first day of dawn-to-dusk fasting and ate during daylight hours.
One said: “This is a very black day for me. Allah has demanded that I be fasting today. Instead I am in penance, and I blame the Americans for that.”
