Iraqi Kids Banned from Saddam's Tomb
Gov't reacts to video of school girls praising executed dictator
By MARK MORALES
Updated 12:30 PM EST, Wed, Jul 8, 2009
Iraqi school kids have been banned from visiting Saddam Hussein's grave on his birthday and the anniversary of his hanging because the government doesn't want the maniacal dictator treated like a national hero.
The move came after a video surfaced showing school girls praising Hussein by reciting poetry, holding signs and even saying, "We won't forget you, father," reports CNN.
A statement released by the government on Monday directed authorities to make sure no other school groups visit the former Iraqi President's tomb.
Hussein is buried in his hometown of Baghdad in al-Ouja near Tikrit in Salahuddin, north of Baghdad.
An official for the National Media Center says the order applies to schools in Salahuddin and added that no one from anywhere else in the country was likely to consider organizing a school tour to the grave.
Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim led government has little regard for the Hussein's Sunni-led dictatorship which persecuted the Shi'ite majority. Members of Hussein's Baath party are regarded as having blood on their hands.
Thousands of his supporters have visited his grave site since he was executed in December of 2006 following the U.S. led invasion three years earlier.
A resident of al-Ouja told CNN that the government has no right to to stop supporters from paying respects to their fallen leader.
"Even if they put police and army outside the door, they will not stop us from visiting our president, our leader and our father," said Mohammed al-Nasiri.
First Published: Jul 8, 2009 9:09 AM EST
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