Iraq Airstrike Casts Pall Over Ramadan Opening

The smoke may be clearing in Baghdad, but the halt of bombing Saturday failed to lift the cloud over gatherings of Muslims in Orange County and elsewhere as they observed the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

“At the beginning of Ramadan, people are usually very joyful and happy, but this time, it’s very somber and solemn because of what’s happening in Iraq,” said Hussam Ayloush of Anaheim, who participated in prayers for Ramadan at the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove.

Viewing the latest attack on Iraq as part of an ominous cycle, Muslim faithful found it difficult to greet the end of the four-day campaign with cheer.

“We’re glad it’s stopping--but I hope it doesn’t resume,” said Muzammil Siddiqi, the Islamic Society director who also is president of the Islamic Society of North America.

“Four nights of bombardment--imagine it happening in New York, or Los Angeles,” Siddiqi said. “If it was just against Saddam Hussein, fine. But Saddam Hussein is not the only person living there.”

Leaving their shoes outside the Masjid, or mosque, more than 900 faithful knelt and bowed as an imam intoned lengthy verses of the taraweeh, a special prayer for Ramadan, the month in which Muslims commemorate their reception of the holy Koran from heaven. Ramadan calls for Muslims to fast during daylight hours.

As American Muslims, the bombing by American and British planes posed special problems for members of the Islamic Society who have children, said Ayloush, a native of Beirut.

“We tell our kids, ‘You are American,’ but it’s a dilemma for us,” he said. “They see with their own eyes that their government is being the bully of the world.”

He said American Muslims sometimes feel ashamed when talking to Islamic relatives in other countries who question the policies of their adopted country.

Yet many Muslims in Orange County oppose Hussein even while they disapprove of U.S. attacks on Baghdad.

“We do not condone the tyrant, but to punish a hostage-taker, you’re punishing the hostages,” said Mohammed Auwal of Garden Grove, who was observing Ramadan at the Islamic Society mosque.

“This has rallied the people in Iraq behind him now,” said Auwal, also an assistant professor of communications at Cal State Los Angeles.