1st foundation conference for Bani Asad tribe opens in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The first foundation conference for Bani Asad tribe on Thursday was opened in the Iraqi capital Baghdad with the participation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Bani Asad tribe constitutes the largest population in Karbala city. They are centered in the central and western parts of the city, and include prominent figures, like Ayman al-Asadi. Bani Asad Bin Khazeema is an ancient Arab tribe that moved from the central part of the Arab Peninsula to Iraq at the time of the Islamic conquests. Karbala, with an estimated population of 572,300 people in 2003, is the capital of the province and is considered to be one of Shiite Muslims’ holiest cities. The city, 110 km south of Baghdad, is one of Iraq’s wealthiest, profiting both from religious visitors and agricultural produce, especially dates. SS (P)/SR 1