Apparently the new security arrangement in Fallujah has resulted in a de facto installation of sharia as the local law of the land. This
Chron article is rather melodramatic ("a glimpse of what a future Iraq may look like"? Settle down, fellas), but it does kind of point out that the word "democracy" isn't a magic incantation that will make things right over there.
Quote:
With U.S. Marines gone and central government authority virtually nonexistent, Fallujah resembles an Islamic mini-state -- anyone caught selling alcohol is flogged and paraded in the city. Men are encouraged to grow beards and barbers are warned against giving "Western" hair cuts.
"After all the blood that was shed, and the lives that were lost, we shall only accept God's law in Fallujah," said cleric Abdul-Qader al-Aloussi, offering a glimpse of what a future Iraq may look like as the U.S.-led occupation draws to a close. "We must capitalize on our victory over the Americans and implement Islamic sharia laws."
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This all reminds me of one of my favorite GWB nonanswers back when Russert asked him about this very possibility on
Meet the Press in February:
Quote:
Russert: If the Iraqis choose, however, an Islamic extremist regime, would you accept that, and would that be better for the United States than Saddam Hussein?
President Bush: They're not going to develop that. And the reason I can say that is because I'm very aware of this basic law they're writing. They're not going to develop that because right here in the Oval Office I sat down with Mr. Pachachi and Chalabi and al-Hakim, people from different parts of the country that have made the firm commitment, that they want a constitution eventually written that recognizes minority rights and freedom of religion.
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