The opening of the West Asian Football Championship in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala last week has sparked strong criticism of its music and dance performances.

At the opening ceremony, a Lebanese woman who did not wear the hijab and did not cover her arms played the Iraqi national anthem on the violin.

Many Iraqis rejoiced at such ceremonies, which usually accompany international football competitions at home, after FIFA last year partially lifted a ban imposed since 1990 on hosting official matches for security reasons.

Music and dance performances aroused the ire of some prominent politicians and the Shiite Endowment Court (Reuters)

Condemnation and reservation
Karbala's young man, Mustafa Mohammed, said that Iraq is a democratic country that includes all sects, and that freedom of expression should be respected away from religious intolerance.

The Shiite Endowment, which manages religious sites and property and has the support of prominent conservative politicians, quickly condemned the performance of the Lebanese musician.

"There is no objection that women should play that role," said Sheikh Wael al-Budairi, a local cleric.

The Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports, which organized the ceremony, initially defended the event, but later said the ministry would coordinate with official bodies to prevent any manifestations that contradict the laws of Karbala.

Civic activist Zikra Sarsam said religious authorities and politicians had lost touch with reality, and they did not understand what the street wanted or the nature of Iraqi society.

Karbala includes shrines of Imam Hussein bin Ali and his brother Abbas (Reuters)

Religious status
Karbala enjoys a special status among the Shiites, because it includes the shrine of Imam Hussein bin Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as well as the shrine of his brother Abbas.

Millions of Shi'ites from Iraq and Iran visit the city every year, and religious authorities say women should wear the hijab throughout the city.

Iraqis say the fuss over the ceremony at the football match was used to divert attention from the real problems in Iraq, including corruption and repression of rights, and hold those in power responsible.