Hundreds of Shiites hold silent protest against displacements (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Hundreds of Iraqi Shiites, displaced from their homes in the raging sectarian conflict with Sunnis, held a silent march after Friday prayers protesting against what they called "forced displacement."

In Baghdad's Kadimiyah neighborhood, men marched silently from the revered Kadimiyah shrine toward the office of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

"Displacement is like calling for divisions" said a banner held by some protestors, while another banner said "Banish terrorists who displace people."

Sheikh Hajim al-Araji, a Sadr aide, said in his sermon: "We call upon the government to find a suitable solution for families who are displaced forcibly and to bring them back to their homes."

The men alleged that most families left their homes after threatening letters were posted on their doors, especially in mixed Shiite-Sunni neighborhoods of Baghdad.

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