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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Saddam Beach
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_alt =
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|11|2|19|N|75|51|6|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
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| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
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}}
'''Saddam Beach''' is a [[fishing village]] in the [[Malappuram district]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Kerala]]. The village is made up of a two kilometre (1¼ mi) coastal belt between Puthenkadapuram and Kettungal in [[Parappanangadi]]. The village is named after former Iraqi president [[Saddam Hussein]], in an act of solidarity after the 1991 [[Gulf War]]. The beach name was suggested by Indian maids working in the gulf, especially Kuwait.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

==Etymology==
The village used to be called '''Tipu Sultan Beach''' after the [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]] king [[Tippu Sultan]] who took an aggressive stance against the [[British Raj|British]] colonial forces during the late 18th century.<ref name=IBN>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/saddam-has-his-own-beach-in-kerala/9006-3.html |title=Saddam has his own Beach in Kerala |access-date=5 November 2006 |archive-date=16 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916215013/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/saddam-has-his-own-beach-in-kerala/9006-3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since the [[Gulf War]] of 1991, the villagers have decided to rename the village to its present name, expressing solidarity with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The villagers, mostly [[Muslim]], claim to be inspired by "Saddam and his fight against policies of the [[United States]].<ref name="rediff">[https://in.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/26pkerala.htm Saddam a hero in Kerala village]</ref>

== History==
The coastal hamlet that is now Saddam Beach shot into prominence when it was renamed after the Iraqi leader. The villagers of the region have since been particularly vocal about their admiration of Saddam and his 'anti-imperialist' stance.<ref name="rediff"/> The [[United States]]-led [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] was received with much condemnation. In 2003, expressing anguish over the renaming of "Saddam International Airport" to "[[Baghdad International Airport]]", Saddam supporters raised a large signpost on the beach with the message "Welcome to Saddam Beach".<ref name="hindu">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/18/stories/2003121804300500.htm | title=Pall of gloom on Saddam Beach | date=18 December 2003 | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | accessdate=3 June 2018 }}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==2003 Gulf War==
During the course of the [[2003 invasion of Baghdad|invasion of Baghdad]], the village witnessed many anti-American and anti-British demonstrations. Goods made in these countries were generally boycotted and even thrown into the sea. Many of the villagers who had work in Gulf countries were forced to return to Saddam Beach as their jobs were lost due to the aftermath of the Gulf War, further increasing animosity to the West.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=36533&d=16&m=12&y=2003 ‘Saddam Beach’ in Sour Mood]</ref> Local residents expressed their protest by installing large cut-outs and posters of Saddam, accompanied by Iraqi flags, along the roadside.<ref name="rediff"/>

In November 2006, villagers reacted to the [[Trial of Saddam Hussein|death sentence]] of Saddam Hussein by staging a protest rally, mouthing slogans against American President [[George W. Bush]]. Around fifty people, including women and children, participated in the march.<ref name="NIE">[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20061105115825&Topic=-471&Title=Kerala&Page=R Saddam Beach’ shocked over death sentence]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Saddam supporters==
On 30 December 2006, angry supporters of Saddam Hussein gathered at the beach, and shouted slogans denouncing US President George W. Bush, describing the [[execution of Saddam Hussein]] as "cruel".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070901162718/http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20061230/34158.htm Disappointment, condemnation in India over Saddam hanging]</ref>

==Transportation==
Saddam Beach village connects to other parts of India through [[Parappanangadi]] town. National highway No.66 passes through [[Ramanattukara]] and the northern stretch connects to [[Goa]] and [[Mumbai]]. The southern stretch connects to [[Cochin]] and [[Trivandrum]]. State Highway No.28 starts from Nilambur and connects to [[Ooty]], [[Mysore]] and [[Bangalore]] through Highways.12,29 and 181. The nearest airport is at [[Kozhikode Airport|Kozhikode]]. The nearest major railway station is at [[Parappanangadi]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Malappuram district}}

[[Category:Saddam Hussein]]
[[Category:Villages in Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Parappanangadi area]]

Saddam Beach - Revision history

Sergkwi: added info...