According to a Chicago Tribune article, Al-Dawa is a "Shiite fundamentalist party inspired by the 1979 Iranian revolution" (8 Dec. 1994). The Jerusalem Post states that the party was founded in the early 1960s by Lebanese-born Ayatollah Mohammad Bakr as-Sadr in the Iraqi city of Najaf (7 Nov. 1993). The article maintains that al-Dawa
tacitly cooperated with the late Shah of Iran against the regime of Saddam Hussein, and Sadr is believed to have been assassinated on Saddam's orders in 1980 (ibid.)
A Los Angeles Times article holds that, in the 1980s,
with ruthless force and executions of key Shiite religious leaders, [Saddam] Hussein forced Al Dawaa underground, and tens of thousands of Shiites crossed the border into Iran (7 Feb. 1995).
Another Los Angeles Times article states that Al-Dawa
may have up to 6,000 members and sympathizers underground inside Iraq; its leadership has worked primarily out of Lebanon and Syria, according to U.S. analysts (24 Aug. 1992).

According to the attached Los Angeles Times article, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Al-Dawa
was linked to a host of assassination attempts on [Saddam] Hussein and his Cabinet. It successfully launched small attacks on government facilities (7 Feb. 1995).
Another Los Angeles Times article states that in September 1987,
a small cell of Al Dawa operatives opened fire during a parade to celebrate the annual Army Day in Baquba, just north of Baghdad. Although troops returned fire, at least 50 were killed, according to foreign envoys, who were among the dignitaries invited to attend (21 Aug. 1990).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Chicago Tribune. 8 December 1994. North Sports Final Edition. Neil MacFarquhar. "Hussein Uses Islam as a Political Tool; Secular Nature of Iraq Is Changing." (NEXIS)

The Jerusalem Post. 7 November 1993. Douglas Davis. "Report: Hizbullah's Spiritual Links Now Stronger with Iraq than with Iran." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Time. 7 February 1995. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "World View; Islam in the '90S: A Study of Diversity; Despite Pervasive Stereotypes, Major Islamist Groups Differ Widely in Tactics and Tenets." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 August 1992. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "News Analysis; U.S. Bets on Shiites to Tip Balance Against Hussein; Iraq: Repressed Muslims Represent 55% of Population. With Coalition Help, They May Be Ready to Revolt." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 August 1990. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "Next Step; Is Embargo Enough to Stop Saddam?" (NEXIS)

Chicago Tribune. 8 December 1994. North Sports Final Edition. Neil MacFarquhar. "Hussein Uses Islam as a Political Tool; Secular Nature of Iraq Is Changing." (NEXIS)

The Jerusalem Post. 7 November 1993. Douglas Davis. "Report: Hizbullah's Spiritual Links Now Stronger with Iraq than with Iran." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times. 7 February 1995. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "World View; Islam in the '90S: A Study of Diversity; Despite Pervasive Stereotypes, Major Islamist Groups Differ Widely in Tactics and Tenets." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 August 1992. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "News Analysis; U.S. Bets on Shiites to Tip Balance Against Hussein; Iraq: Repressed Muslims Represent 55% of Population. With Coalition Help, They May Be Ready to Revolt." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 August 1990. Home Edition. Robin Wright. "Next Step; Is Embargo Enough to Stop Saddam?" (NEXIS)