What's in a name? Maybe survival...

[im10ashus]

By Omar al-Ibadi

Some flee the country. Others buy weapons. But Iraqis lining up at a state registry say the best protection against sectarian violence is a new name.

"I changed my name to Abdullah because it is a neutral name. It could be Sunni or Shi'ite. My life is more precious than my name," said Omar Sami, an Arab Sunni university student.

Iraqis have become increasingly fearful that their religious allegiance could cost them their lives as the country slides toward civil war.

So names, many of which can clearly identify which sect you are from, have become a matter of life or death.

Bombings at mosques, hit squads and kidnappings have forced some people to apply legally for a new identity, a painful move in a country consumed by sectarian passions.

Shi'ites named Ali become Omar and Sunnis named Osman introduce themselves as Hussein, hoping to survive in densely populated mixed districts where victims of sectarian violence are killed on the streets every week.

cont'd...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060413/od_nm/iraq_names1_dc;_ylt=AkH9VNCvMNb7dHUGp5Wo_rntiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

[drm604]

1. That is so sad. n/t

[soup]

4. yes, it is.

Gives new meaning to the phrase 'only the names have been changed to protect the innocent'. :(

[im10ashus]

5. I thought so too.

So much for bringing democracy to the Middle East.

[hootinholler]

2. Reminds me of the MPFC Bruce skit. n/t

[porphyrian]

3. A Boy Named Sue

This has been true since humans started taking names.