International

In Death, Saddam Fascinates Iraqi Supporters

By Jamie Tarabay

Published January 8, 2007 at 1:00 PM PST

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Those who supported Saddam Hussein in Iraq describe him as a martyr and one of the most famous symbols of Arab opposition to the West. His hanging has inspired copycat suicides, plans for a statue and protests throughout the Muslim world.

Poems, songs, and stories praising Saddam and lamenting his death are popping up all over Arab Internet sites. A few mosques in Baghdad announced that an image of his face could be seen on the moon, and people spilled into the streets this week for a glimpse of their former leader in the night skies.

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International

Jamie Tarabay

After reporting from Iraq for two years as NPR's Baghdad Bureau Chief, Jamie Tarabay is now embarking on a two year project reporting on America's Muslims. The coverage will take in the country's approx 6 million Muslims, of different ethnic, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and the issues facing their daily lives as Americans.

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