By Ismaeel Naar

DUBAI -- Iraqi eulogist reciters still performing Shiite ceremonial religious rites are being criticized for not following measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, like social distancing and self-isolation. The religious figures sang verses saying mourners would be protected against COVID-19.

Videos posted on popular reciters’ social media pages show hundreds of Shiite Iraqis still congregating in ceremonial religious mourning sessions despite measures taken by the government to suspend schools, universities, and gatherings in public spaces to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hussein (grandson of Prophet Muhammad -- peace be upon him) is miraculous; his love is the greatest prize. Don’t come to this aza (mourning), he who fears corona,” sang popular Iraqi reciter Alaa al-Grebawy during a ceremony in Baghdad posted on his YouTube page on March 15.

“This situation is a test; Hussein is not only for tears. He who wears the armor, can never be scared,” Al-Grebawy continues in his recitation.

Another video posted at a different ceremony showed a reciter singing similar phrases.

“I speak with knowledge, not speculation, Haider (Hadrat Ali, Prophet's son-in-law) has healed me from all illnesses with his kindness. If I get corona I will go visit [his grave] and be healed. He who has Ali doesn’t need to know where the hospital is,” the reciter chanted.

Iraq formally banned all public gatherings from Feb. 27 onward and banned travelers from Kuwait and Bahrain from entering the country. The Shiite holy city of Karbala, like the neighboring city of Najaf, attracts Shiite pilgrims from Iraq and abroad.

Iraq has confirmed 17 deaths due to the coronavirus as of Saturday with 208 cases detected so far.

Despite the health restrictions, many Iraqi Shiites have been unwilling to heed the government’s call for people to self-isolate and avoid public gatherings.

Another video posted by Al-Grebawy on March 18 showed him at another Aza ceremony in Baghdad with dozens in attendance where he sang similar verses from a poem.

Abbas Kadhim, a senior fellow and Iraq initiative director at the Atlantic Council, said one thing to look out for in Iraq more than any other pressing issue right now is the government’s willingness to tackle the public spaces amid the coronavirus outbreak. -- Al Arabiya English