The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most significant global health crises in modern history. As the virus spread across the globe, nations implemented measures to control its transmission, including widespread lockdowns, social distancing, and restrictions on gatherings. However, in certain parts of the world, including Iraq, a deeply religious country, the response to these measures has been complicated by the influence of religious figures who reject scientific advice and promote superstitious beliefs. The practice of visiting religious shrines during the pandemic has become a focal point of this tension between faith and science.
This article examines the role of religious leaders in Iraq who have exploited the emotional attachment of the faithful to religious rituals, encouraging them to defy public health guidelines in favor of traditional practices. By fostering superstitions and promoting ignorance, these leaders have put their communities at risk during a time when medical experts are urging caution. The article also explores the broader implications of this behavior for public health and the nation’s ongoing struggle with ignorance and superstition.
In times of crisis, especially in the face of a deadly pandemic, superstition and irrational beliefs can thrive. These beliefs often gain traction when individuals feel powerless or frightened, turning to religion for comfort. However, when religious leaders exploit these fears for personal gain or influence, the consequences can be dire. In Iraq, several high-profile religious figures have encouraged their followers to disregard government health measures and continue visiting religious shrines, even though such actions endanger public health.
One of the most striking examples is the rhetoric surrounding the shrine of Imam Kadhim in Baghdad. Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Iraqi cleric, urged his followers to visit the shrine despite the curfew imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Thousands of people, many of whom were motivated by faith and blind trust in their leaders, flocked to the shrine, defying the lockdown and creating a dangerous environment for virus transmission.
At the same time, religious figure Hazem al-Aaraji made similar claims, encouraging people to raise flags bearing the images of imams above hospitals to protect patients from the virus. Al-Aaraji even went so far as to suggest that visiting the shrine of Imam Kadhim could cure illness, referring to it as a “tried-and-tested remedy” that would protect people from harm. This kind of reckless superstition is a clear rejection of scientific reasoning and health guidelines in favor of belief in supernatural protection.
The influence of these religious leaders is compounded by their ability to sway large segments of the population, especially those who may not have access to accurate information or who are desperate for hope during a time of uncertainty. Religious figures like al-Sadr and al-Aaraji have created an environment where faith in the imams is presented as a shield against the virus, leading followers to believe that their belief in these figures will protect them from harm, regardless of the evidence to the contrary.
In addition to these actions, there have been reports of even more dangerous practices being promoted by some religious leaders. For example, one figure suggested that people burn and incense herbs like “Harmal” inside hospitals, claiming it would ward off the disease. Another advocate encouraged mass gatherings at shrines, asserting that the virus could not spread in the presence of the imams. These baseless and harmful claims only serve to further entrench a culture of ignorance and delay the implementation of effective measures to curb the pandemic.
At the heart of this issue is a deep-seated ignorance that undermines public health efforts. Ignorance is not merely a personal failing—it is a dangerous force that can spread rapidly and negatively impact entire societies. The belief that faith alone can protect individuals from a deadly virus is not only scientifically unfounded but also undermines the efforts of healthcare workers, government authorities, and public health campaigns aimed at controlling the pandemic.
As the virus continues to spread and governments across the world struggle to contain it, it is crucial that religious leaders take responsibility for their actions and messages. In Iraq, where religion plays a central role in everyday life, the words of a religious leader carry significant weight. When these leaders promote false beliefs, they not only endanger their followers but also contribute to a larger cultural issue: the persistence of superstition in the face of modern science and medicine.
The actions of certain religious leaders in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight a dangerous intersection of faith and ignorance. By encouraging practices that directly contradict public health guidelines, these figures are exacerbating the spread of the virus and undermining efforts to protect the population. In a world where scientific understanding is critical to overcoming global challenges, the persistence of superstition is a significant barrier to progress.
To move forward, it is essential that religious leaders embrace their responsibility to promote rational, scientifically backed health measures. This includes refraining from encouraging gatherings at shrines, spreading harmful myths, or advocating for practices that have no basis in reality. By aligning faith with science, religious figures can play a crucial role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the health and safety of their communities.
As one wise person once said, ignorance is the source of all evil. It is a destructive force that can tear apart societies, cultures, and civilizations. In the face of a global pandemic, it is more important than ever to address this issue and ensure that reason and science prevail over superstition and ignorance. The fate of many nations, including Iraq, depends on it.