Reconstructing Iraq (16) Muslim Peacemaker Team Unites Shia and Sunni

“On May 6 2005 a groups of Shia Muslims called Muslim Peacemaker Team (MPT) travelled to the Sunni-dominated city of Fallujah from as far away as Kerbala and Najaf to help their Sunni counterparts clean up rubble from the previous U.S. assault on the city. In a symbolic act of solidarity, members of MPT sought to counter the growing reports of Sunni-Shi'a sectarian violence and to demonstrate unity in a tense time (…) Muslim Peacemaker Teams has been in existence for three months and it is their plan to continue to retain a connection with the citizens of Fallujah through direct action. Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq has made working with MPT the number one priority for the team at this time. Both groups are committed to continuing to work to foster non-violent alternatives to militarization for a free and independent Iraq”. (AJ)