Islamic Law Controls the Streets of Basra [View All]

[wookie294]

BASRA, Iraq — Physicians have been beaten for treating female patients. Liquor salesmen have been killed. Even barbers have faced threats for giving haircuts judged too short or too fashionable.

Religion rules the streets of this once cosmopolitan city, where women no longer dare go out uncovered.

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"This is the democracy of 2005," Shedar said. "We expected improvement, but now there's no freedom in the streets for the women. People are afraid."

The militiamen carry out political assassinations and dole out punishment for alleged religious infractions, residents say.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-basra27jun27,0,5239723.story?coll=la-home-headlines

(Theocracy rules southern Iraq)