Iraqi politician faces public backlash and legal issues over celebratory gunfire
An Iraqi member of parliament has caused controversy after she was filmed illegally firing a gun into the sky during a wedding ceremony on New Year’s Eve.
Wihda Al Jumaily, a member of Iraq’s human rights parliamentary committee, was seen in a video, laughing as she fired two shots into the air, while a man in the background encouraged her by calling her a hunter.
The video triggered an outcry on social media after Iraq’s health ministry announced that 104 people in the country were wounded in sporadic gunfire and fireworks-related incidents on Monday night during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Most of the incidents were reported in Baghdad, where at least 47 injuries occurred, including 10 from stray bullets. Baghdad’s Al Rusafa district put the number of wounded in the area at 78, at least 20 of whom were hit by stray bullets.
Mr Al Jumaily was forced into issuing an apologetic statement on Facebook yesterday.
“I am seeking your forgiveness, I’m a woman from a tribal background and was attending a wedding in a rural area in Ramadi,” she said.
Celebratory gunfire is common practice in Iraq during occasions such as weddings, funerals and sports matches. But popular opinion seems to be turning against the long-standing tradition.
Iraqis took their frustrations to social media claiming that the politician was exploiting her legal immunity and was breaking the law.
“Iraq’s political elite have been violating and exploiting the country’s legal system. Ms Al Jumaily needs to be held accountable for her actions,” Falah Hassan, a Baghdad resident said on Twitter.
“Every person that has been injured or killed by sporadic gunshots must pursue a lawsuit against her,” he said.
Another user called on the interior ministry to arrest Ms Al Jumaily for “firing the gun and violating the law and risking the lives of ordinary citizens”.
The law on this matter stipulates that Ms Jumaily could face up to a year in jail if she is prosecuted.
Every person that has been injured or killed by sporadic gunshots must pursue a lawsuit against her FALAH HASSAN Baghdad resident’s comment on Twitter