Divisive sectarian rhetoric dominates lead-up to Iraq vote
As elections approach in Iraq, sectarian rhetoric has distracted voters from more serious issues.
The practice of taking advantage of sectarian and religious slogans is still common on the Iraqi electoral scene. This practice is clearly shown in electoral banners and the statements issued by political powers, despite all their talk of “national unity” and “social solidarity.”
Statements made March 30 by Hanan al-Fatlawi, a parliament member for the State of Law Coalition, have stirred controversy. She called for “equality in death” between Sunnis and Shiites.
![An Iraqi Marsh Arab stands as British soldiers patrol in Iraq's southern marshlands near Basra December 16, 2005, a day after [elections for the country's first full-term parliament since Saddam Hussein's overthrow. Millions of ballot papers were being counted and recounted on Friday as Iraqis celebrated a peaceful election that saw rebellious Sunni Arabs join in for the first time, pushing turnout close to 70 percent.] - RTXO2IL](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/01/RTXO2IL.jpg/RTXO2IL.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=W-tLyf-S)
