From the KUWAIT TIMES: Message received

In Iran, a country ruled by Shiite Muslims and in the newly Shiite controlled Iraq, the first day of the Eid Al-Adha was celebrated on December 31. Sunni Muslims celebrated the first day of the Eid Al-Adha on December 30, the same day Saddam Hussein was executed. According to Iraqi law, no executions can be carried out on religious or national holidays. By hanging Saddam on Dec 30 - which all Sunnis, including Iraqi Sunnis, considered as the first day of Eid - Iraq was sending a clear message to all its neighbouring states and to Sunnis in particular that the new Iraq was a decidedly Shiite state. Growing Iranian influence in the region has always been a cause for concern among Gulf nations, who are predominantly Sunni. The real possibility of a nuclear Iran is one problem but the implications of Iraq's clear message with the timing of Saddam's execution is a new factor which could tip the balance of power in the region - with a nuclear Iran or without. The message also conveys to the world that Iraq is not a secular and inclusive democracy as they might wish to be perceived as, but instead they are Shiites and will make governmental decisions based on that fact - putting them in league with Iran. ...http://tinyurl.com/yjysh2 [Open in new window]