Water damage threatens Iraq Shiite shrines

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

KARBALA, Iraq (AFP) — Two mausoleums in the central Iraqi city of Karbala that are among Shiite Islam's holiest shrines are threatened by a rise in the water table, officials said on Wednesday.

The mausoleums of Imam Hussein and his half-brother Imam Abbas are in danger of water damage if corrective action is not taken as quickly as possible, the head of the province's agriculture department, Amal al-Deen al-Her, said.

The shrines lie some 2.5 metres (more than eight feet) below the level of the surrounding streets and successive bombings since the 1991 Gulf war have damaged sewers and water mains, further compounding the problem, Her said.

Mahdi Lateef, the head of water resources in Karbala, said a lack of funds had so far prevented work being carried out...