Dear warriors,
Today (in about 24 minutes EST) Iraqis which are part of the Ummah will go and cast vote. Lets pray for their safety and wish them the very best in choosing the right representatives thast will write the constitution for the new Iraq. Lets also thank the liberators (U.S) for their graciousness and allowing this to happen. Had it not been for the Kind hearted Americans the poor Iraqis would still be living in fear, from the father-sons trio. Lets not be mean towards our Iraqi brothers and lets show solidarity on this great day and back the Iraqi voters.
Oh Allah (swt) please keep the Iraqis in safety and let them choose the right leaders. You are are master of all, please show us a miracle and make this election go without a hitch.
Re: A great day for Ummah
Amen… Brother Verizon, I pray to Allah :swt: that your dua is qbooled.
Re: A great day for Ummah
Seems like the Sunnis stayed home. How come they are so against the very process supported by their shia bretheren? They had it good while saddam was around..now that the majority is ruling, will they be part of the solution or part of the problem?
Re: A great day for Ummah
Must be a great day for the ummah, we have three hindus celebrating 
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Indeed a great day for the fellow Iraqi Ummah. 72% showed up to vote. This is beyond the acceptable number of 50%. 
My prayers have been fulfilled. The tribe has spoken. Arabs love U.S. The Muslims Love U.S. The humainty Loves U.S. It’s just a few vagabonds on GS that had their visa applications denied so they show their true colors. If they were given a visa today. They will be asking Brother Matsui where is a strategic location for a 7-11 and a gas station.
See this war is about hearts and minds, U.S has won both Iraqis hearts and minds. Last night I was up till 3:00am flipping from once channel to another and, it was wonderfil to see Iraqi’s coming in droves and celebrating freedom and thanking U.S for giving them this gift. This gift is better than the virgins and wine that is promised in heavans. This gift will clear the path for these good peaceful loving Iraqis to worship, play, camel race or whatever they do to with freedom and dignity.
God Bless U.S. 
General Verizon
Somewhere in Iraqi prison system interrogating these good for nothing Arabs.
Re: A great day for Ummah
General Sirji, great and wonderful turnout. I hope the Sunnis over time get their act together and not be held hostage by the terrorists among them.
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General Thap Shame on you, look, here you have three hindus celebrating with your own Ummah and look at you. You fit my description of visa reject. Be happy for once and celebrate, and show solidarity with the rest of the ummah, OBL your hero only represents a few, break that bond and join the real progressive muslims. Otherwise the border is still open go to Saudi Arabia or Syria we will be seeing you there as well shortly.
God Bless the U.S.A
Re: A great day for Ummah
Sunni's in Ieak should fight for a break away state. :D
Re: A great day for Ummah
Some observations.
Interesting reporting by the BBC who had reporters covering polling places all over the country. BBC NEWS | Middle East | Reporters' log: Iraqi elections.
The reporters describe a rather festive atmosphere, with some Iraqis feeling that this is the most important thing in thier lives.
Iraqis have to notice that there are no American minders, no secret security services as in the Saddam times. Regardless of what they feel, this is a huge credibility builder for the Americans.
It was predominantly the Iraqis running Iraqi Elections. With over 5200 polling places Iraqi voluneers are running the elections, and Iraqi security services are helping to secure them.
The insurgents have launched a number of suicide attacks, none of which seems to have had an effect on peoples will to vote.
In areas like Basra, and all over the south, the turn out is heavy, and there are calls form local mosques to go vote.
Arab media is divided. Al-Jazeera, who has been largely banned, and has to cover the election from afar is typically sullen and focusing on security problems. Al-Aribya on the other hand is positive and upbeat, and generally focusing on the elections as a success.
The entire Arab world is watching these elections. No matter how tainted , or flawed, the time is ripe in Saudi, Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE for people to expect legitimate and fair elections. The seed is planted, it will be hard to stop now. The importance of the day was heightened by the insurgents. The fact that this election took place amid bombs says remarkable things about peoples desire for freedom.
What will the people of Iraq think about America in 20 years? What will they remember? The legacy is still being written.
Lastly, Americans died so that this day could come. Insurgents tried to prevent it, and derail it by the most foul and violent means. The silent majority of Iraqis emerged from thier holes, and they spoke today. Will the cynics listen? Hardly. But as an American, I am happy for this day. I am happy for the GOOD Iraqis, and I am glad that we have held fast to some ideals.
Last of all, the security plan for today has been excellent. despite determined bombers, thugs and intimidators the net effect of violence on the voting appears to be minimal. Well done US military.
So have at it cynics, you cannot take a little smile off my face today…
Re: A great day for Ummah
OG, I must say, I was a bit skeptical on teh whole thing. But today, the momentum that freedom has brought to the Iraqis in living their lives as to how they want is one of the most significant days, inthe history of the arab world.
Let’s hope the sunni terrorists realize the will of the people and stop being obstacles to a better future. They keep hurting their own people, over and over again.
And yes…the anti-US brigade can go and make out with their colons. 
Re: A great day for Ummah
I was sceptical too. This could have been the Tet offensive II. Instead, it has been rather uplifting.
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Some came on crutches, others walked for miles then struggled to read the ballot, but across Iraq, millions turned out to vote Sunday, defying insurgents who threatened a bloodbath.
Suicide bombs and mortars killed at least 27 people, but voters still came out in force for the first multi-party poll in 50 years. In some places they cheered with joy at their first chance to cast a free vote, in others they shared chocolates.
Even in Falluja, the Sunni city west of Baghdad that was a militant stronghold until a U.S. assault in November, a steady stream of people turned out, confounding expectations. Lines of veiled women clutching their papers waited to vote.
“We want to be like other Iraqis, we don’t want to always be in opposition,” said Ahmed Jassim, smiling after he voted.
In Baquba, a rebellious city northeast of Baghdad, spirited crowds clapped and cheered at one voting station. In Mosul, scene of some of the worst insurgent attacks in recent months, U.S. and local officials said turnout was surprisingly high.
One of the first to vote was President Ghazi al-Yawar, a Sunni Muslim Arab with a large tribal following, who cast his ballot inside Baghdad’s fortress-like Green Zone.
“Thanks be to God,” he told reporters, emerging from the booth with his right index finger stained with bright blue ink to show he had voted. “I hope everyone will go out and vote.”
In the relatively secure Kurdish north, people flowed steadily to the polls. One illiterate man in Arbil, 76-year-old Said Rasool, came alone and was turned away, unable to read the ballot paper. He said he would return with someone to help.
Even in the so-called “triangle of death,” a hotbed of Sunni insurgency south of Baghdad, turnout was solid, officials said.
FESTIVE VOTING
In mainly Shi’ite Basra, Iraq’s second biggest city, hundreds of voters queued patiently at polling centers. “I am not afraid,” said Samir Khalil Ibrahim. “This is like a festival for all Iraqis.”
A small group cheered in Baghdad as Sharif Ali bin al-Hussein, a descendant of Iraq’s last king, went to the polls. Ali leads a constitutional monarchy slate in the election.
Western Baghdad polling stations were busy, with long queues of voters. Most went about the process routinely, filling in their ballots and leaving quickly without much emotion.
Others brought chocolates for those waiting in line, and shared festive juice drinks inside the voting station.
Samir Hassan, 32, who lost his leg in a car bomb blast in October, was determined to vote. “I would have crawled here if I had to. I don’t want terrorists to kill other Iraqis like they tried to kill me. Today I am voting for peace,” he said, leaning on his metal crutches, determination in his reddened eyes.
In Sadr City, a poor Shi’ite neighborhood of northeast Baghdad, thick lines of voters turned out, women in black abaya robes in one line, men in another.
Some of the first to vote countrywide were policemen, out in force to protect polling centers from attack, part of draconian security measures put in place by U.S. and Iraqi officials.
In Samarra, a restive Sunni-Shi’ite city north of Baghdad, the crackle of gunfire was heard minutes after polls opened.
After a few hours, only about 100 people had voted at one of two polling sites. One woman, covered head-to-toe in black robes, kept her face concealed, but said she voted with pride.
In nearby Baiji, some people were unable to vote because electoral officials failed to turn up. “We are waiting for the manager with the key,” said an election worker, apologizing.
“VOTE FOR HUMANITY”
In the shrine city of Najaf in the Shi’ite heartland, hundreds of people walked calmly to polling stations. Security around Najaf, attacked before, was some of the tightest.
“This is a wedding for all Iraqis. I congratulate all Iraqis on their newfound freedom and democracy,” said Jaida Hamza, dressed in a black Islamic veil that also hid her face.
Shi’ites, who make up 60 percent of Iraq’s people, are expected to win the vote, overturning years of oppression.
In Kirkuk, a city divided between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, Kurds turned out in force, as expected, but there were signs Arabs and Turkmen were boycotting, angered by what they see as voting rules that favor Kurds.
One of the biggest surprises was Mosul, a mixed Sunni Arab and Kurd city in the far north. “So far it’s gone very well, much better than expected,” said a U.S. army officer.
Baghdad’s mayor was overcome with emotion by the turnout of voters at City Hall, where he said thousands were celebrating.
“I cannot describe what I am seeing. It is incredible. This is a vote for the future, for the children, for the rule of law, for humanity, for love,” Alaa al-Tamimi told Reuters.
Re: A great day for Ummah
What a beautiful patriotic story, one more reason to thank U.S.A. :alhamd:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/533483.html
UN should declare this day “Hug an Iraqi day”. What bold people made me proud to be a muslim, I may even go to a mosque and pray to Allah (swt) and thank him for granting us muslims with a such a great opportunity. I hope that rest of the Ummah sees this as a sign that it is time to let the people be heard. Ameen Sum e Ameen.
Thank you U.S.A. and God Bless U.S.A. The ummah loves the U.S.A.
:bhangra: :nuch: :dhimpak:
Re: A great day for Ummah
Go Ummah..it’s your birthday…we gonna party like, it’s your birthday…sip Bacardi like it’s an election. And we don;t even give a fk if some sunni terrorists hate freedom.
Re: A great day for Ummah
I am so happy about this outcome that I want to celebrate this great day like a "peurto RIcan day parade" in NY. I want to go and hug and kiss fellow Iraqi Ummah. Oh Bless the USA. Iraqis love the USA. USA USA Go Go USA. Hu-ah.
Re: A great day for Ummah
You know, the differences in coverage are remarkable. AP, New York Times, BBC, Washington Post, Reuters report almost festive turnout. People in thier finest clothes, waiting patiently, proudly flashing ink stained fingers. Even the Guardian had a rather inspirational piece.The Observer archive | The Guardian
Al Jazeera on the other hand would not dare use the word “festive” even if it was true. and of course Fisk implies things are horrible, and he employs his patented, “only I can report to you how horrible things really are”. Some things never change.
Re: A great day for Ummah
Brother OG. I was worried about Guardian, but I guess you just can’t hide truth anynmore. As an immigrant to US I thank you, a born American (i think ) for helping my muslim brothers out. THANK-YOU. I am going to write to my congress woman ands see if we can declare last sunday in January an “Iraqi Day”. Thank you.
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The news from around the world. I love U.S.A. God bless the iraqis, you know all that gripe about taxdollars went away the moment I saw the happiness on the faces of the Iraqi people. We the Amercians are a great nation. Join us and Join the Iraqis on such a wonderful day in the histroy of Mankind.
Re: A great day for Ummah
Good for the Iraqi’s. Now come’s the oldest question in Islamic history. The infighting amoung the various factions in the Ummah for power.
Although I must say “hail to the cheif.”
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H_K thank you, but those questions are inconsequetional casue the constitution will be written by educated and concerned Iraqi’s not the egotisitc insurgent kind.
Re: A great day for Ummah
Ummah has spoken, all of you thap, CM, abdali, daisygun all of you can call it a day, cause you've heard of the saying "it aint over till the fat lady sings" well the fat lady in this case the iraqi majority has spoken.