Not Entirely Without Fear

A MEMRI report on the revival of cultural life in Iraq:

The fall of the Saddam regime in April 2003 has brought with it unprecedented cultural vitality, despite an environment affected by constant acts of violence and terrorism, often directed against those who want to lead Iraq out of the dark tunnel of the past. Indeed, and ironically, it is partially the chaotic climate associated with weak or absent state institutions that has permitted the unprecedented freedom of cultural and artistic creativity. Although many writers, thinkers, novelists, artists and intellectuals fled or were forced into exile during the Saddam regime, many remained. Now, after years of being kept silent, the varied political, nationalist, and ethnic groups, are able, finally, to express themselves without restrictions or censorship but, regrettably, not entirely without fear.

Despite the impressive range of the new cultural explosion, the old Baathist totalitarianism is in danger of being replaced by a new religious intolerance:

The fall of the Saddam regime has released an enormous amount of intellectual and artistic energy that was suppressed or misdirected for almost four decades. The suppression was secular and political in nature. There is a looming danger of a different kind of suppression carried out by religious militias whose tolerance for liberal and secular culture goes no further than the muzzle of their gun.

Branches of the national libraries have been looted and privately owned bookstores in many parts of Iraq do not dare to offend the armed religious militias that prowl the streets in complete freedom. Cinemas, one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the vast majority of Iraqis, are almost extinct because of threats against what is narrowly perceived as lewd films or because people are afraid to congregate in one building which could be blown up at will. This is the case also with regard to other artistic events-a problem which is only exacerbated by the unreliability of the electrical supply.

It is true that the press is relatively free, but editors exercise self-censorship when it comes to criticizing the likes of the young radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who will not hesitate to unleash the fury of his militia against any journalist who might dare to criticize him. Other militias are also known for enforcing their own version of the law, including the use of extreme measure against individuals and institutions, particularly secularists.