Even as the US was starting its countdown to war o­n Iraq, a small band of Malaysians got together to hold out for peace at the Iraqi embassy in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Spreading the word to friends via SMS o­n mobile phones, a youth group called Universiti Bangsar Utama held a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the Iraqis.

Some 70 people of various races and ages ignored heavy rain to turn in front of at the utilitarian double-storey bungalow off Jalan Tun Razak at 8.30pm.

Futility of words

The bad weather did not stop at least five police cars and o­ne Federal Reserve Unit truck from lining up along the road outside, attracting passing traffic with their flashing lights. About 40 uniformed and plainclothes police milled about.

A few people took turns to speak about the looming war. Among them were PAS central committee member Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, PRM Youth chief Faizal Sanusi and Keadilan Youth information chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin.

The speeches were short, as if underscoring the futility of words, because thousands of US troops were already stationed in the Middle East in preparation for the first military strike on Baghdad. That came at 10.30am Malaysian time today.

The Muslim men in the group went into the embassy building at about 9.15pm to perform sembahyang hajat while the rest hung o­n to their umbrellas and raincoats and waited outside for the rain to subside.

By the time the prayers ended half an hour later, the rain had subsided to a drizzle. A handful of those present started to arrange flowers and candles o­n the pavement to form the peace symbol. ( photo )

Embassy councilor Salaheldeen Suleiman who seemed overwhelmed by the eleventh hour show of solidarity, had few words to say but to thank all present.

Having delivered their message o­n what was widely expected to be the eve of the war, the group left quietly.