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Sunnis, Shiites Bridge Fear That Divided Them Since 2005

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

BAGHDAD - The Shiites approached the Aimma bridge from Baghdad's Shiite district of Kadhimiyah, and the Sunnis came from the Sunni side of Adhamiyah on Tuesday. When they met in the middle, they hugged and then cried over the waters of the Tigris River.

For three years no one had crossed the bridge, which was closed in 2005 after an infamous day when Shiite pilgrims panicked and stampeded after rumors broke out about a suicide bomber in their midst. More than 900 people died.

"We are all Muslims - Sunnis and Shiites," men chanted as they danced on the newly opened span. "We will not sell out this country."

Baghdad is still largely segregated by religious sect, and many people fear driving through neighborhoods of the other sect where they were once killed for being Shiite or Sunni. However, the bridge opening was taken as a message that Shiites and Sunnis could venture into each other's neighborhoods again.

McClatchy-Tribune

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