The match should have been cause for young Iraqis to celebrate. Their national team beat Lebanon 1-0 in the first competitive international hosted by Iraq for years in the holy city of Kerbala, complete with an opening ceremony of music and dance.
Instead, the eventdrew high-level criticism which many of the city's youth say shows the gulfbetween them and the political and religious establishment.
At the openingceremony last week for the West Asia Football Federation Championship, atournament of Arab countries hosted by Iraq, a Lebanese woman violinist notwearing the Islamic headscarf and with uncovered arms played Iraq's nationalanthem.
Many Iraqis were elated that such a ceremony, typical of international football tournaments, could finally take place on their soil after football governing body FIFA last year partially lifted a ban largely in place since 1990 on Iraq hosting competitive matches over security concerns.
Iraq's Shi'iteMuslim endowment which administers religious sites and property, backed byprominent conservative politicians, rushed to condemn the performance saying it"overstepped religious boundaries and moral standards … and violated theholy sanctity of Kerbala."
Iraq's Ministry ofYouth and Sport which organised the ceremony first defended it, then said:"the ministry will coordinate with official bodies to prevent any scenesthat contrast with the holiness of the province."
For many Iraqis,especially women, it was a reminder of the power Islamic authorities, Islamistparties and conservative Iran-backed politicians still wield after years ofconflict and sectarian killing, as Iraq tries to recover and open up to theoutside world.
"We thoughtthe event was a positive message, that a more normal life can come toKerbala," said Fatima Saadi, a 25-year-old dentist, sitting in a coffeeshop in Kerbala.
"Most of usrejected the politicians' comments – the holy ground is where the shrines are,but outside those places there's a different life."
Kerbala is hallowedground for Shi'ite Muslims. It houses the shrine of the Imam Hussein, theProphet Mohammed's grandson and most revered Shi'ite imam who was slain inbattle.
