Iraqi Shiite Party Spends Millions On Mausoleum

by Quil Lawrence, NPR

Incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is hoping for a repeat of last January's provincial elections — that's when Iraqi voters rejected overtly religious parties and turned to his more secular slate. Luckily for him, those religious parties don't seem to have gotten the message. One of the largest Shiite religious parties is spending millions on an Iranian-style mausoleum to its fallen leaders. It's by far the biggest construction in the city of Najaf, but residents say they'd rather see the money spent on services.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, November 12, 2009