[Islam&Muslim] Battlefiled Karbala (Movie)

The director, Bartlomiej Topa, and the cast including Antoni Krolikowski, Atheer Adel, Hristo Shopov, and Leszek Lichota, may not be household names to many. The title, "Karbala," refers to a place of great significance to Shia Muslims, yet unfamiliar to many in East Asia.

To properly appreciate the film "Battlefield: Karbala," some prior study is needed. Karbala, also known as Kerbela, is one of the most important holy cities in Iraq, situated about 80 km southwest of the capital Baghdad, on the banks of the Euphrates River.

Historically, Karbala has been a focal point of resistance against both domestic and foreign rulers. About half of its residents are of Iranian descent, with some Indians and Pakistanis as well. The surrounding region, except along the river, has low population density.

The religious significance of Karbala dates back to the Battle of Karbala on October 10, 680 AD, during a conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The division occurred when Yazid I, the Umayyad Caliph, succeeded his father, leading to a split between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Shia factions, followers of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali, revolted against Yazid I in Kufa. They urged Ali's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali, to lead them and promised to make him caliph in Iraq. Yazid I dispatched Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad to suppress the rebellion. Husayn and his followers, en route to Kufa, were besieged by Ubayd Allah's forces in Karbala, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad.

Despite expectations of support from Kufa, Husayn engaged in battle after being denied. On October 10, 680 AD, Husayn and his supporters were killed, sparking widespread condemnation. This tragedy marked the beginning of Shia's animosity towards Yazid, Ubayd Allah, and Umar, leading to longstanding Sunni-Shia tensions.

The day of Husayn's martyrdom, known as Ashura, is observed as a day of mourning among Shia Muslims. The Islamic lunar calendar, starting from the migration of Muhammad to Medina in 622 AD, designates Muharram 10, Ashura, as a day of remembrance for Husayn's sacrifice.

Husayn's tomb in Karbala is revered as one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims. Despite being destroyed in 1801, it was soon rebuilt. Shia Muslims consider burial in Karbala as a sure way to paradise, leading to vast communal cemeteries. Karbala, along with Najaf, is a significant pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims and a departure point for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Najaf, in southern Iraq, is the capital of Najaf Governorate. Located about 160 km south of Baghdad, it borders the Euphrates River. Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph and protagonist of "One Thousand and One Nights," built the mausoleum of Ali ibn Abi Talib, making it a political center for Iraqi Shia.

Sunni and Shia differ on the rightful successor to Muhammad. Sunnis recognize the Caliphs as successors, regardless of blood relation. Shia believe only those directly descended from Muhammad have the right to rule, recognizing only Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, as the rightful successor.

The split between Sunni and Shia after Muhammad's death led to political and religious divisions, still evident today. Iran considers itself the Shia powerhouse, while Saudi Arabia represents Sunni dominance.

"Battlefield: Karbala" depicts the 2004 Battle of Karbala, where multinational forces, including Polish and Bulgarian troops, defended the Karbala City Hall against attacks. After the first Gulf War, the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, despite opposition from many countries, aiming to remove Saddam Hussein's regime.

Saddam's Sunni regime collapsed with the US invasion, leading to the rise of Sunni insurgents and ultimately ISIS. The invasion was based on false claims of Saddam possessing weapons of mass destruction, orchestrated by the Bush administration.

ISIS, or Daesh, rejects the term Islamic State, considering it derogatory. The name is derived from the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Western nations, including the US and France, have used ISIS or ISIL to avoid confusion with other Islamic states.

The film's setting in 2004 marks the year the US transferred sovereignty to Iraq. Lewis Paul "Jerry" Bremer III stepped down as the top administrator, and an Iraqi, Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer, became the interim president. Al-Yawer previously chaired the Iraqi Governing Council under US administration.

The film begins with Polish soldiers arriving at the airport in Lima. Private Camille (played by Antoni Krolikowski) faces prosecution for disobeying orders during a patrol mission. While being transported by Polish forces, they come under attack in Karbala, leaving one captured, and Camille seeks refuge with an Iraqi informant, Freyed (played by Atheer Adel), to rescue his captive daughter.

The film sheds light on Poland's involvement in Iraq as part of the peacekeeping force. Without this film, the contribution of Polish troops in Iraq would have remained largely unknown.