planet earth looks blue

Two pilgrims were shot on Sunday on their way to Karbala.  The man and woman were beginning the annual trek made by Shiite devotees to honor the death of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein.  Al-Arbaeen is the holy day that marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the 7th century religious figure and martyr.  The trek represents a liberation from tyranny and support for Islam as Imam died in battle defending his religion.  

This isn’t the first time that the Al-Arbaeen pilgrims have faced violence on their way to Karbala.  In 2008, 48 people were killed, and in 2007, 180.  Only this time the Iraqi pilgrims were shot by US soldiers.  The US military has launched an investigation into the shootings, that left the man dead, and the woman injured.  Supposedly, a weapon belonging to a US vehicle patrol fired by mistake.  The US military believes the mistaken shooting, and the bullets that struck the two pilgrims is a coincidence.  Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?

At the very least, the violence doesn’t seem to be intentional.  A roadside bomb killed two pilgrims as well on Sunday.  Hopefully these will prove to be two isolated incidents, and the pilgrims can complete their journey in peace.