Tingog.com

July 29 – Iraq Wins Asian Cup over Saudi Arabia 1-0. To the Iraqi people, I celebrate in your victory. After the win, Iraqi people celebrated in the streets, and despite a gun ban, celebratory shots could be heard. In a team comprised of the different religious sects (Sunni, Shiite, Kurdish) that make up Iraq, it is definitely a uniting aspect that Iraq can once again rally behind.

After the team’s victory in the prestigious 2007 Asian Cup, the Iraqi people seemed far ahead of their leaders in letting sectarian bygones be bygones and allowing ethnic atrocities to fade.

Despite a security crackdown, curfews banning vehicles, and decrees forbidding the penchant in this part of the world to grab an AK-47 and rip off celebratory rounds, people rejoiced in the streets – and gunfire roared.

It roared across Baghdad at the second-half goal against Saudi Arabia. It was deafening when the underdog Lions sealed the 1-0 victory in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Iraq team’s win dripped with symbolism, not least in the makeup of its front-line strikers: one Kurd, one Shiite, one Sunni.

State television said Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was on the phone in seconds talking to the victors. The dour, hard-line Shiite leader announced only minutes into the game that each team member had been awarded $10,000.

And the leader’s office quickly cranked out a note of congratulations:

“There is a big difference between The Lions of the Two Rivers who struggle to put a smile on the faces of their people and those who work in dark corners strewing death and sorrow in the paths of innocent people. We are proud of you. You deserve all our love and respect.”

The U.S. military command issued a message shortly afterward.

“Throughout this demanding competition, you represented Iraq with distinction and honor, inspiring all Iraqis by your unity, teamwork, dedication and athletic ability. We salute you and congratulate you on this tremendous achievement.”

But even amid the joy, tragedy struck and danger loomed.

In just one Baghdad neighborhood, four people died of celebratory gunshot wounds. Scores were wounded nationwide, and reports of more continued seeping in.

Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman, told The Associated Press that Iraqi police narrowly averted a suicide car bombing in southwestern Baghdad.

Dozens died last week when bombers hit crowds after the team’s quarterfinal and semifinal wins. (AP)

But soccer alone cannot unite a nation, as has been said many times over, only a political solution exists for Iraq, and I must also add, that cutting the United States involvement in Iraq could also be part of the solution. Not an immediate pullout as many would like to advise, but maybe a withdrawal plan that doesn’t involve a permanent United States presence in Iraq (the kind of presence the The Bush Administration has been planning).

But, let us celebrate this moment. This is not just a celebration for Iraq, indeed it is a celebration for humanity and the many simple ways in which we can be united.