Saddam Beach
| Saddam Beach | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
  Saddam Beach Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 11°02′N 76°03′E / 11.03°N 76.05°ECoordinates: 11°02′N 76°03′E / 11.03°N 76.05°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Saddam Beach is a Muslim fishing village in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. The village is made up of a two kilometre (1¼ mi) coastal belt between Puthenkadapuram and Kettungal in Parappanangadi. The village is named after former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, in an act of solidarity during the 1991 Gulf War.
Name
The village used to be called Tipu Sultan Beach after the Mysore king Tippu Sultan who took an aggressive stance against the British colonial forces during the late 18th century.[1] Since the Gulf War of 1991, the villagers have decided to rename the village to its present name, expressing solidarity with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The villagers, mostly Muslim, claim to be inspired by Saddam and his fight against policies" of the United States.[2]
Saddam Beach
The coastal hamlet that is now Saddam Beach shot into prominence when it was renamed after the Iraqi leader. The villagers of the region have since been particularly vocal about their admiration of Saddam and his 'anti-imperialist' stance.[2] The United States-led invasion of Iraq was received with much condemnation. In 2003, expressing anguish over the renaming of "Saddam International Airport" to "Baghdad International Airport", some Saddam fans raised a large signpost on the beach with the message "Welcome to Saddam Beach".[3]
During the course of the invasion of Baghdad, the village witnessed many anti-American and anti-British demonstrations. Goods made in these countries were generally boycotted and even thrown into the sea. Many of the villagers who had work in Gulf countries were forced to return to Saddam Beach as their jobs were lost due to the aftereffects of the Gulf War, further increasing animosity to the West.[4] Large cut-outs and posters of Saddam, along with Iraqi flags were erected along the roadside by the locals, marking their protest.[2]
In November 2006, villagers reacted to the death sentence of Saddam Hussein by staging a protest rally, mouthing slogans against American President George W. Bush. Around fifty people, including women and children, participated in the march.[5]
On December 30, 2006, angry supporters of Saddam Hussein gathered at the beach, and shouted slogans denouncing US President George W. Bush, describing the execution of Saddam Hussein as "cruel"[6]