Iraqi Shiites, Sunnis Appeal for Unity

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Shiite and Sunni Arabs celebrated the Islamic feast of sacrifice Tuesday with calls for an end to the bloodshed that has wracked Iraq since last month's elections. Sunni Arabs tempered their appeals with renewed calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

In a day with no violence reported, Iraqis nationwide celebrated the opening of the four-day Eid al-Adha celebration with food, sweets and visits to relatives. Lambs were slaughtered and food was distributed to the poor.

"This Eid is a happy day for all Muslims, especially Iraqis. But it comes after painful events that happened in Karbala and Ramadi," said Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a Shiite.

He referred to the killings of more than 120 people in suicide bombings last week in the Shiite holy city of Karbala and at a police recruiting center in Ramadi. On Monday, suicide bombers infiltrated the heavily fortified Interior Ministry compound in Baghdad and killed 29 Iraqis - an attack claimed by al-Qaida in Iraq, a group with an avowed aim of starting a sectarian war."
MyWay

Reading this story, the words from LOTR come to mind, when the elven queen tells Frodo that the quest rest upon a knifes edge, or something like that, do not stray from your path or you will falter...I wonder if Iraqis have read Lord of the Rings?