Extremists target Iraq secular life

IN Iraq’s south, where people favour US jeans, Italian- style shoes and pledge allegiance to football teams as readily as religious figures, many fear their lifestyle is under attack.

While the Shia heartland will rejoice when their parties win control of the country's new national assembly next week, locals acknowledge it may come at a cost.

Islamification attacks are being mounted on those accused of submitting to the vices of the West and most believe the problem will escalate if clerics seize power.