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CNN Live At Daybreak
Some Afghans Blame U.S. For Having to Miss Hajj Pilgrimage
Aired February 21, 2002 - 05:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: This is day two of the Hajj, the most important day of the Muslim pilgrimage. Some two million Muslims have converged in and around the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Throughout the day, the pilgrims have been gathering at Mount Arafat, praying for forgiveness and mercy at the site where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.
This is a live picture you're looking at. Let's listen in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allah Akbar.
COSTELLO: This year's pilgrimage comes amidst tensions in the Muslim world following the September attacks and the U.S.-led war against terrorism. Many Muslims view it as a war against Islam.
Well, the Hajj is something all able-boded Muslims are required to perform at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it. Thousands of Afghan Muslims were unable to make the pilgrimage this year and they're angry. Many blame the United States.
Our Nic Robertson has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With surprising patience, would be pilgrims collect their refunded travel money, $1,500 each, an investment for most of years of savings and much hope they were about to perform their biggest religious duty. Outside, villagers recheck their money, angry they've missed the trip to Mecca.
We were told you can go and we sold our land, says Abdullah. I came and spent money on pictures for the Hajj and now I'm very upset.
We are angry with our government, Abdul adds. And with the Americans, too, says this mullah, questioning how the U.S. forces can stop them flying from Kandahar Airport.
They say they've had no explanation why they can't fly from Kandahar, although the word among local officials is that the airport, now under U.S. military control, is not technically ready for civilian aircraft.
In the field, where more than 5,000 camped in hope of making the trip to Mecca, only disillusioned stragglers, like Mohammed are left. I haven't seen anything good yet that the Americans have done, he says.
(on camera): That the would be pilgrims should focus their anger on the Americans is perhaps understandable given the circumstances. However, to better gauge the mood of Afghans towards the U.S. forces based here, it is necessary to ask more people more questions, and the market is a good place to start.
(voice-over): Attitudes here appear more positive.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So no thieves, nothing, no guns, nothing here. So we are happy from American.
ROBERTSON: We are very happy with the Americans, this man says. I would help them with my blood.
But with the camera out of sight and on the other side of the road...
(on camera): Why don't you like Americans?
(voice-over): I get a different reaction. Until, that is, he sees my microphone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know your microphone.
ROBERTSON (on camera): Yes, I know. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Then he seems to tell me what he thinks I would like to hear. To test the theory, we send Mohi Bullah (ph), our Afghan producer, off with a camera to see if he can better gauge the mood. Roughly an even split. This man for the American forces, this storekeeper against, saying the Americans shouldn't stay here any longer.
Meetings between U.S. troops and Afghans are rare. Only a few soldiers, like these Army special operations forces, deal directly with the local population. And so few bonds of understanding are being forged. Through years of turmoil, many here have learned to guard their innermost thoughts. Intellectuals privately suspect improved dialogue will extend the honeymoon U.S. troops are enjoying here.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Kandahar, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Akbar Allah (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allah akbar.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allah akbar. Semu Allah holy man hamida (ph). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Akbar al alacal hund (ph).
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