By Andrew L. Jaffee

The [Iraqi] team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds.

- BBC, 7/29/07

Another small glimmer of hope for Iraq (see also here)? One would hope that if Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis could play soccer together, and pull off upset victories over the South Korean and Saudi teams, then they could learn to live together in peace. Who can tell? In the very stochastic realm of human emotions, sometimes even a single event can galvanize a previously fractured society. But the historic — and to me, minor — divisions separating Iraq’s Sunnis and Shiites run deep. Time will only tell. I hope that Iraqis can accentuate and perpetuate their football fever. From the BBC:

Thousands of Iraqis have spilled onto the streets to celebrate their football squad’s Asian Cup victory, firing guns into the air despite a government ban.

Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. Celebratory gunfire was heard in Baghdad, where authorities had banned vehicles and urged fans not to gather.

It was feared crowds could be targets for bombers. Some 50 people died in attacks after last week’s semi-final.

Correspondents say Iraq’s progress has temporarily united the divided country.

The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds.

Thousands of Iraqis, who had been following the match in Indonesia on television, rushed into the streets of the capital and other cities to celebrate. …

In pictures: Football fever