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.

British officers have reports of illegal Sharia law courts in mosques and claim sections of the Badr organisation militiamen turned politicians are trying to enforce strict religious codes. Early election results, based on 1.6 million ballots, show 72% of people voted for the Shia alliance, dominated by religious groups and linked with radical organisations in Iran.

A more secular Shia coalition, led by interim Prime Minister Dr Iyad Allawi took only 18%, read by some as a signal that radical voices could dominate the drafting of Iraq's new constitution.

In the Basra suburb of Dur Al-Thabat, groups of young Shi'ites yesterday admitted a landslide could accelerate the destruction of their city's traditionally cosmopolitan outlook.

Military sources confirm their claims of an increase in Islamification attacks, focused at drinkers, women and gambling houses.

Student Walid Ibrahim, 26, dressed in a bright polo short and trousers, said:

"The extremists come and intrude on people's privacy. They prevent the women from going outside without a hijab, they embarrass them and insult them. They kill any people trading in alcohol and target anyone buying alcohol."