Comments (16)

"...storyline is similar."

Hi Bob:
You said it; it is a stroy and big one at that fit for Hollywood. The fcat of the matter on the ground is that people have been killing each other for such fables, myths and big lies. Get over it, dude, and get along with the guy living next door.

To Scared One:

"Let us be frank; even Kaaba in Mecca was built for them by some Jewish dude, Abraham, according to the Moslems. So, shouldn't all the proceeds from pilgrimage go to the state of Israel?"

A fine example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing.

Abraham was not Jewish (nor Muslim) -- although he was a monotheist. He was from Chaldea, wandered through Canaan, bought a burial plot, sojourned to Egypt and then back to Canaan -- to be buried at the Tomb of the Patriarchs (in today's West Bank).

Abraham's oldest son, Ishmael, was the father of the Arab tribes -- from which Muslim claim descent. Abraham's younger son, Issac, was the father of twins, Esau (the first born) and Jacob. Esau became the father of the Edomites. Jacob, aka Israel, begat the twelve tribes of Israel.

At least that's the story on the Jewish/Christian side of the family (the Torah / Bible) The Koran may have a different emphasis, but I'll bet the basic storyline is similar.

Take the time to read the last half of Genesis and you'll find one of the most captivating stories in all of literature -- populated with flawed characters and motives. Whether you are a believer or not, it's a page turner. And it will certainly dispel your notion that Abram (Abraham) is some Jewish dude!

Moslems can only blame themselves for the wretched conditions they are in today. They are dead worshipers, just like the Catholics. Holiness is within oneself and not some brick and mortar structure built buy the British. Have you seen a Jew blowing up another Jew? But Shia and Sunni's have been killing each other for centuries. Let us be frank; even Kaaba in Mecca was built for them by some Jewish dude, Abraham, according to the Moslems. So, shouldn't all the proceeds from pilgrimage go to the state of Israel?

Allat, your personal interests are not my concern. It is the imperialism from America to which I protest. Of course American culture seeks to disrobe, exploit, and enslave women to materialism, vanity, and their own basic desires and whims, including selfishness. The American people have been protesting about this ever since American commercial enterprises usurped culture, making Betty Crocker and the Malboro Man the faces of America (both being fictious characters concocted by marketting firms).

The most important thing that the Muslim world can produce once it is liberated from Western hegemonic control, is an enlightened Islamic society. In this can the chronic ailments of the centuries be treated and the potential of the Muslim world be nurtured.

Because I and sincere Muslims are the first to admit the plethora of illnesses, diseases, and disorders facing the Muslim world. But following the Western Way means enslavement and perpetual subjugation to the Western Man. Today's world is evidence of this: Egypt has served the West and formed its nation based on Western political concepts and its ruler has ruled by martial law for 27 years and the West is happy with that. Yet today, Egypt's 80 million people have around 40% unemployment, its GDP is less than the tiny Netherlands, it imports 50% of its grain stock, and its poor are rioting in the street for bread.
That's what the Western Way offers them: 100 years of servitude. Then a new plan will be drawn up for it: before it was Milton Freidman's Plan of deregulation, privatization, globalization, economic liberalization, market specialization.
And that's just economics.

The Iraqi people optimistic about America's plan are ignorant and niave. They percieve that they have invented a wondrous new device which they will call: the wheel. But 17% of Iraqi people are not even at home. That's as if all the people of California and Oregon left. How would America be then?

Plans about building 'shiny cities on the hill' have to take a serious backseat to sustaining the lives of the people there. The basics first: food, security, shelter, health care. Then education and jobs. Plans about buildings is sounds too much like pipedreams meant to funnel into Swiss, or Dubai bank accounts.

may be there is no one can imagine how miesrable iraqi peple are under the sheia lead government who became very reputed by their corruption and how they squander the puplic money in such trifle projects like improving ali shrine while mor than half of iraqi are starving

To Usama,

"Western usurpation of authority over the Muslim world never ceases- after you take over governments, you tell us how to build our cities, how to manage our municipalities, and tell our women to disrobe for you. "

If the world left the Muslims to do anything constructive, not a damn thing would happen. When was the last constructive contribution made to the world by Muslims? Also, we are not interested in disrobing your women, but we are interested in their safety and well-being and keeping them from the abuse they are subject to by their own Muslim culture.

Western usurpation of authority over the Muslim world never ceases- after you take over governments, you tell us how to build our cities, how to manage our municipalities, and tell our women to disrobe for you.

Except what have you done with the world? Amassed trillions in wealth and still want more- your greed is violent and bloody; you dump oceans of your trash; you recruit 27 million slaves worldwide of the poorest people- more than ever before.

To Betty

Iraq HAD oil money, HAD a museum with one of the most ancient culture artefacts, HAD so many things...and much things. Destroied by barbarians

Najaf has a very significant role religious and economic role as a pilgrimage destination for all Shi'a, including Iranians. It is big, big business. Najaf should capitalize on this trade and make as much money off the Iranians as they can.
Interestingly, other destinations in Iraq might also serve for Iranian tourists and pilgrims - once the pilgrims are in Iraq and away from their oppressive home government, they can leave Najaf (or Karbala) after the pilgrimage and loosen up a bit, maybe even take off the hijab and let their hair down.

Again, tracing history back to the Phoencians reveals the orgins of commerce without conquest. Western civilizations adopted that concept through the noble objectives of the WTO Charter. There was a similiar movement by free thinkers in the British Empire at one time.

Here in America, people are trying to minimize a potential for decreases in the standard of living through our own faults. Trying to compare today's modern society to the dust ball of 1920s is like saying, "Well having to do without flush toilets is not that bad. Why when I was your age, we used outhouses."

So why can't Iraqis pursue their own happiness according to their own customs ? Will this proposal have more benefit to Iraqis compared to an amusement park ? That's what I want to know. Will people travel from around the world to see "Mickey Mouse" or worship at a grand shrine ? Inquirying minds want to know.

why not on this post discuss some of the real underlying differences between western enlightenment thought and islam...if we are on the topic of economics, lets start with banking and the adversity in islam to compounding interest...these are the real fault lines between 'civilizations' or whatever phrase we use these days.

your post just talked about how a local leader of a city in iraq wants to build infrastructure that will entice people from around the world to come and pump money into the economy. smart business, but doesn't every local leader want something similar? why is this news?

you cant investigate too deeply though, you do work for the washingtonpost so you're required to tow the party line.

anyone out there, please read edward saeed's works on orientalism...youll start putting the mirror to your own face.

-ali baba

Wow, finally an Iraqi citizen with a vision to make his country better without US money. It's about time they start using their oil money to pay for their own rebuilding and feeding of their people.

I read a post a few weeks ago on a little known, apparently LA-based blog -- Usedcarsalesman.com -- that suggested the same economic development plan for the entirety of Iraq (Strangely, the usedcarsalesman blog has nothing to do with cars; maybe its title is a joke by the writer given that few people trust used-car salespeople).

I agree. Iraqi cities should be turned in to Dubais, Tokyos and NYCs (Of course I'd like to see the same financial and advisory attention showed to U.S. cities and citizens that need it; maybe the economic "Lab" in Iraq will provide some answers to domestic/economic problems in parts of the U.S.

In fact, I would't mind paying $10 a gallon for gas in today's dollars if the gas is derived strictly from Iraqi oil and the most of the inflated per-gallon price is going to renovate Iraq!

Of course, if the U.S. does manage to renovate Iraq -- and maybe itself -- successfully over the next 20 years, you have to wonder if other people/political groups/nations in the world are going to act violently towards the U.S. simply to force us to bring them an economic rejuvination program after we invade them)?

Might we end up encountering "martyrs" who are willing to die to bring prospertiy to their country. More specifically, will people from certain impoverished foreign nations organize unprovoked terrorist acts against the U.S. simply to bring the economic aid that ultimately follows a U.S. invasion. Could you call these terrorists "Money Martyrs?"

A cross between Mecca and Disneyland? I don't think that one will fly.

WELL IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR A HUMAN BEING TO BRING LIFE TO THE NATION AND MAKING IT EASY FOR THEM!!!

them. then eventually work they had I don't know my misguided often removing