The much awaited and anticipated election in Iraq is finally over under extraordinary circumstances. This is what Associated Press (AP) has to say on the mood of the Iraqi voters on the day of election:

“Women in black abayas whispered prayers at the sound of a nearby explosion as they waited to vote at one Baghdad polling station. But the mood for many was upbeat: Civilians and policemen danced with joy, and some streets were packed with voters walking shoulder-to-shoulder to vote at five polling stations where photographers were allowed. One elderly woman sat on a wooden cart, wheeled to the polls by a relative; another man carried a disabled 80-year-old on his back.”

The great enthusiasm, the strong will and the festive mood displayed by the Iraqi voters on the Election Day, despite the state of immense terror and fear, are extraordinary by any standard. Al-Zarqawi’s threat of flooding the street with the blood of those coming out to caste their votes has been more than real and deadly - given the amount of blood of innocent Iraqis he has let flow on the streets of Iraq. With over 200 “al-Zarqawi suicide bombers” waiting to explode on the voting day, any reasonable mind must have anticipated a casualty figure of hundreds if Iraqis would come out to vote in force.

However, the most memorable day of Iraq’s living history ended with only 9 or so human bombs exploding resulting in killing of 25-30 people – an extraordinarily lower casualty than had been expected. Most thrilling thing for those, who whole-heartedly supported the liberation of Iraq from the brutal tyranny of Saddam, is that Iraqis defied the huge risk on their lives to come out in great number dancing in the streets on their way to voting stations in many parts of the country, including in dangerous Zarqawi-dominated Sunni places like Baquba. The voter turn-out is said to have broken the pre-election expectation of ~57% [which itself sounded heavily inflated] – the actual figure now may stand in the range of 60-70%. This huge turn-out, despite the extraordinary state of terror and fear on the streets of Iraq, is surely a determined expression of a strong desire for freedom, peace, democracy and justice by the Iraqi people. This unprecedented event in the history of Iraq is a strong rejected of tyranny and injustice perpetrated by Saddam as well as defiant rejection of violent Islamic terrorism unleashed by al-Zarqawi and his Saddamist and extremist Sunni associates. The Iraqis have spoken the language of freedom, democracy, justice, peace and human rights. This is a strong message to Nations under misrule, tyranny and anarchy, including those surrounding Iraq in the Middle East. Jordan’s King Abdullah, whose country is in the frontline of democratic reform in the Middle East, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour: “Obviously, a successful Palestinian election and what seems to be a successful Iraqi election can only assure people that this is a process that the Middle East needs, and one that needs to be taken seriously." Surely, this unprecedented Iraq election would serve a giant blow to the oppressive monarchies in Middle East and would have a great positive impact in that religion and beyond.

Despite the fact that Iraq Election has exceeded all expectations, big challenges surely lie ahead. This is the stepping stone for Iraqis to move forward from their brutal past and a bloody and anarchic present. There is no doubt that Iraqis will only move forward from here but blood-bath of what-so-ever extent by the Islamist and Baathist Sunni extremists are yet to follow. The sooner the Iraqi security forces become capable and intelligence agencies become effective in identifying and catching the murderous extremists, the better it is for Iraq’s future. The second critical issue that must be addressed is the “election boycott” by a good majority of the Sunnis because of combined reasons of threat of “blood bath” by the extremist Islamic groups and a “boycott call” by section of Sunni political parties fearing that they might be marginalization in the upcoming governance of Iraq.

It must be remembered here that the minority Sunnis (~20% against ~60% Shiites), empowered by Saddam, brutally oppressed the Shiites for decades. Logically, it should have been the Sunnis to reach to the Shiites for mending the relationship because of the atrocities they have committed on the Shiites under Saddam’s patronization. Ironically, however, the onus of reaching out has now fallen on the Shiites, because of Sunnis’ boycott of elections. It is now most critical that ordinary peace-loving Sunnis and the Shiites must work together if Iraqis want to defeat and exterminate the extremist al-Zarqawi and his evil allied forces, which will ensure their march into a better future. If not, Iraq may still plunge into a state of further chaos, anarchy and violence leading, probably, to a civil war which will be catastrophic without any doubt. However, the pleasing and hopeful thing is that Iraqis have endured and crossed the most vulnerable phase of their march toward democracy, freedom and peace. This success should mostly be credited to the Shiites, who endured further brutal violence against their lives and properties with towering patience, following ousting of Saddam. Shiites still have to take that patience and the gesture of peace and reconciliation one step further.

Iraq’s interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi have already expressed that essence of reaching out for reconciliation with all Iraqi groups in his post election comments: "The terrorists now know that they cannot win," he said. "We are entering a new era of our history and all Iraqis — whether they voted or not — should stand side by side to build their future." He promised to work to ensure that "the voice of all Iraqis is present in the coming government." Given that Prime Minister Allawi has already assured the presence of voices of all sections of Iraqis, irrespective of race, religion and sects, it can be hoped that a proactive approach would be taken by the ensuing Government to persuade the Sunnis to participate in the political and administrative affairs of Iraq in a fair manner. Given the economic status, a long history of tyranny, oppression and injustice and a rather inexperience in democracy and freedom – it will be a difficult path for Iraqis to follow. However, the presence of the multinational coalition, mainly the British and Americans, could be of immense help – given especially America’s towering success in instituting democracy and freedom in Germany and Japan following World War II.

The ground Iraqis have founded through their choice for freedom, democracy, peace and justice by defiant and courageous participation in the ballot – there is every chance that Iraq might emerge a peaceful country with vibrant democracy and freedom and a strong economy in a decade – in absolute contrast with her long past of tyranny, oppression and injustice. If that happens, the Islamic Ummah, the leftists and the communists – who whole-hearted opposed British/US-lead effort to free the Iraqis from the tyranny and brutality of Saddam – might find themselves in a position of utter embarrassment. Given that, if Saddam was not removed ousted by the US-lead coalition, Iraqis, mainly the majority Shiites and other non-Sunnis, would have had to live an ignominious and brutalized life for decades to come. Hence, should Iraqis achieve their goal of a democratic, free and prosperous country in a decade; they would surely have little to respect the Islamic Ummah and their leftist/communist allies. And given the state of affairs of the Muslims countries around the world, the Ummah may even have to feel embarrassed and jealous of the achievement of the Iraqis as soon as in a decade.

As a strong believer in freedom, democracy, justice and human rights to every human being irrespective of race, nationality and geographical location – this scribe would surely wish whole-heartedly that Iraqis would achieve their desire for a democratic, peaceful, free and economically strong nation sooner than later.