Update: Sadr's Million Man March in Support of Lebanon brings only 14,000; Only Hundreds in Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera hyped up Muqtada al-Sadr's call for a "million man march" in support of Lebanon's Hezbollah on 04 Aug 06, who, by-the-way, did not show up in person.

However, based on US imagery, an estimated 14,000 Iraqi citizens gathered in Baghdad’s Sadr City today in a peaceful demonstration to show support for Lebanon according to a MNF-I press release.

Iraqpundit provides his own insights as to why.

Here are my insights.

Sadr won enough votes to have 30 members in the Iraqi Parliment; however only 14,000 showed up for his "million man march" in Sadr city (inhabited by 2 million Shi'ites) in support of Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Does this represent a move away from him? Quite possibly in the militant sence, but not so likely in the political sense.

It does; however, represent that Iraqi's are mainly concerned about their own country's security and see what terrorists are doing to their country and do not want to be party to similar terrorist methods in another country. While some stress individual safety concerns as a reason for the low turnout even though this has not affected the annual Hajs, it is noted at CNN that the demonstration was without violence and security was provided by Iraqi Police and the 6th Iraqi Army Division.

I read daily how the Arab street is up in arms about Israel's disproportionate attack on Lebanese civilians. Yet in a country with 15.5 million Shi'ites only 14,000 show to demonstrate support for Hezbollah in a neighborhood with 2 million Shi'ites who are protected by Iraqi Police, the 6th Iraqi Army Division, US Forces, and Sadr's militia.

Iraqi's see daily and firsthand what terrorism brings; namely, death, destruction, and greater violence. The great majority (99.91%) of Shi'ites did not show up to demonstrate for Hezbollah, for Sadr, for Iran, or for more violence. Nor did a great majority of Shi'ites show up against their democratically elected government, against Israel, and against the US despite protection from the Iraqi Police and the 5th Iraqi Army Division.

That beacon of light in the Middle East, called a democratic Iraq, is shining brighter daily. Its light is already providing direction to other extremists in the Middle East. As time goes by, its light will only get brighter.

A failure, most certainly not; in fact, quite the opposite.

Update: Only hundreds and possibly up to 2000 (of the 2 million Shi'ites) in Saudi Arabia took the the streets to protest against Israeli actions or for Hezbollah's actions in Lebanon according to Al Jazeera while noting, "Public protests are banned in Saudi Arabia, although the authorities have shown unusual leniency in tolerating some marches against Israeli attacks in Lebanon."

Again, where is the "Arab Street" that is up in arms over Israel's disproportionate response to Hezbollah terrorists. Other than Iranian President Ahamdinejad and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, with Syria being unually quiet, it does not seem that very many Shi'ites support this war that was started by Hezbollah's kidnapping of two and the killing of eight Israeli Soldiers.

Over the weekend, about 16,000 out of a population of over 17 million Shi'ites took to the streets to protest for Hezbollah or against Israel.

I cannot say it enough. That ray of hope, that beacon of light in the Middle East called a democratically elected and free Iraq is shining bright for all to see with Al Qaeda in dark shadowy caves and Hezbollah in bombed out bunkers.