Religion or vote? Iraq Shi'ites wrestle with choice

By Mohammed Abbas

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Thousands of Shi'ite Muslims in southern Iraq are wrestling with a choice of religion or democracy before a pilgrimage which may prevent them from voting in an upcoming election.

Pilgrims from the southern city of Basra are setting out on an arduous walk hundreds of km (miles) long to the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala, far from the election centres where they are registered to vote this Saturday.

"Kerbala is more important than voting, and so far I haven't seen any candidate that deserves my confidence. I still have no job after the last election," said Mohammed Ali, one of a group of pilgrims at a roadside tent.

Elections to Iraq's powerful provincial councils fall on Jan. 31, and the pilgrimage culminates around mid-February.

Many of the pilgrims come from even farther away than Basra, which is 400 km (250 miles) from Kerbala.

The pilgrimage marks Arbain, or 40 days of mourning for the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, a central figure in Shi'ite Islam who was slain in battle at Kerbala in the 7th century.

Pilgrim tents bedecked with flags and blaring religious chants have sprouted across the Shi'ite south of Iraq, providing food and shelter to weary travellers.

Some said they were determined to vote and would return home without completing a full pilgrimage, or would drive back to the spot on the road where they left off to go vote.