Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks at an election rally in the Shiite city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, SaturdayMaliki in Najaf for propaganda stunt – official
February 27, 2010 - 12:21:22
NAJAF / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s visit to Najaf is for mere propaganda within preparations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections on March 7, a local official said on Saturday.
“Maliki is in Najaf to open projects that lacked proper studies in the first place,” Jawad al-Jarawi said in a press conference in the holy city.
He said that some of the Najaf Provincial Council members staged a sit-in today (Feb. 27) condemning security measures imposed on them inside the council building.
Earlier, the province’s information director said that Prime Minister Maliki arrived in Najaf to meet with the governor and members of the provincial council and also to inaugurate the major al-Mishkhab water project.
The prime minister will also attend a massive rally in al-Najaf stadium, he added.
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Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani is a key figure in Iraq, who is widely recognized for his leadership of the larger Shi’ite community.
Ali Husaini Sistani is the Grand Ayatollah of Iraq. He was born in Mashhad, Iran, c.1930. Al-Sistani is the most important Shiite leader in the country.
He is the official religious leader of Iraqi Shiites, and the most respected scholar in the holy city of Najaf, where he controls a powerful faction at the Kawza Seminary. Under the belief that politics and religion should not mix, he has been openly grateful that the United States toppled Saddam Hussein, and believes Iraq should be a democracy, provided there are direct elections, which would favor the Shiite majority.
He is the official religious leader of Iraqi Shiites, and the most respected scholar in the holy city of Najaf, where he controls a powerful faction at the Kawza Seminary. Under the belief that politics and religion should not mix, he has been openly grateful that the United States toppled Saddam Hussein, and believes Iraq should be a democracy, provided there are direct elections, which would favor the Shiite majority.
"Sistani emphasized that everything should be done to get back total sovereignty on all levels," said Sheik Abdul Mehdi al-Karbala'e at Friday prayers.
Sistani has followed the “quietist” role of “marja-e-taqlid” (source of emulation) and is the most senior of the four Shiite clerics that lead the Najaf-based “Hawza al-Ilmiyah” (a grouping of Shiite seminaries). His work is focused on studying and teaching theology, Shari’a law, and ethics. Sistani also has a network of agents (wakils) throughout Iraq and among Shi’ites outside Iraq. In August 2004, Sistani was treated in Britain for a heart problem which has reportedly reduced his schedule in early 2008. However, this has not prevented him from providing his religious and social services through his Web site and the social networks which he has developed.
Social Services
Sistani has developed a vast social network in southern Iraq and in multiple provinces in Iran. His Web site places many of his services and his main office in Qum, Iran. Within Iraq, his growing network can be found in the southern cities of Amarah, Basra, Karbala, Kufa, Najaf, and Nasiriyah. According to Sistani’s Web-site, he offers the following social services:
• Grand Ayatollah Sistani Residential Complex
• Mahdi Housing Complex
• Al-Zahara Housing Complex
• Thammenul Hojai Housing Complex
• Residential Complex on Serai Road
• Iraqi Immigrants Relief Center
• Relief Center for the Poor, Needy, and Affected People
• Help Center for Afghan Refugees
• Eye Hospital
• Imam Sadiq (a.s.) Charitable Clinic
• Rogayyah Charitable Maternity Hospital
Political Involvement
During Saddam’s rule, al-Sistani remained in Iraq while other Shi’ite groups, such as Da’wa and SCIRI members fled to Iran. Throughout that time, al-Sistani adopted a low profile and had no known contact with the United States. Although a religious leader, Ayatollah al-Sistani has not held an official position in government. This however, does not take away from his political power due to his broad Shi’ite popularity.
In April 2006, he also helped forge United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) as well as brokering the compromise over the selection of the Prime Minister. In early 2007, al-Sistani was influential in convincing al-Sadr to end his boycott of the UIA and returning to parliament. Finally, according to an article in Newsweek, after receiving multiple death threats, al-Sadr supposedly asked al-Sistani for advice. Al-Sistani is reported to have advised al-Sadr the following: “You have two options: bear the consequences, on you and the Shi’ites in general, or withdraw into a corner.” This contributed greatly to al-Sadrs decision on moving to Iran.
Most importantly, this demonstrates Sistani’s ability to be influential in dealing with al-Sadr.
Al-Sistani has chosen to follow his mentor Khu’i, in the sense were he is a “quietist.” Sistani apposes a direct political role for clerics like those seem in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini, yet he does believe in clerical supervision of political leaders. For that reason al-Sistani has not been shy about meeting with Iraqi leaders to include a recent meeting with Prime Minister al-Maliki on May 22. Although he does not meet with the U.S., he has met with U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani represents a key figure capable of stabilizing Iraq. His known reluctance to the current Iraq-U.S. negotiations in regards to long term U.S. military presence can also increase tensions already created by the Sadrist protests. It is also imperative the United States recognizes that al-Sistani has both a huge following and strong ties with Iran. He is also recognized for his moral leadership of the larger Shi’ite community.
Post Sistani
Ayatollah al-Sistani is in his late 70’s, and has suffered from heart problems. His ailing health condition has become a reason for concern. With the death of Sistani, the Shi’ite community, and Iraq as a whole is likely to see a competition to take his position. According to Dr. Babak Rahimi, “the leading candidate to replace al-Sistani is the Afghan-born, Najaf-based Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayadh.” There are however two other Najaf-based ayatollahs who can also become potential candidates, Grand Ayatollah’s Bashir Hussein al-Najafi and Muhammad Said Hakim.
The fact that al-Sistani has yet to announce who would assume his role is of great concern. If he is to pass away without direction, the only thing that is certain is that a political vacuum will commence. There appears to be some resentment with the fact that Ayatollah Fayadh is of Afghan descent. He is likely to antagonize the Sadrist nationalists, who view him as an Afghan foreigner who should not have a say in Iraq’s politics.
Al-Sistani has chosen to follow his mentor Khu’i, in the sense were he is a “quietist.” Sistani apposes a direct political role for clerics like those seem in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini, yet he does believe in clerical supervision of political leaders. For that reason al-Sistani has not been shy about meeting with Iraqi leaders to include a recent meeting with Prime Minister al-Maliki on May 22. Although he does not meet with the U.S., he has met with U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani represents a key figure capable of stabilizing Iraq. His known reluctance to the current Iraq-U.S. negotiations in regards to long term U.S. military presence can also increase tensions already created by the Sadrist protests. It is also imperative the United States recognizes that al-Sistani has both a huge following and strong ties with Iran. He is also recognized for his moral leadership of the larger Shi’ite community.
Post Sistani
Ayatollah al-Sistani is in his late 70’s, and has suffered from heart problems. His ailing health condition has become a reason for concern. With the death of Sistani, the Shi’ite community, and Iraq as a whole is likely to see a competition to take his position. According to Dr. Babak Rahimi, “the leading candidate to replace al-Sistani is the Afghan-born, Najaf-based Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayadh.” There are however two other Najaf-based ayatollahs who can also become potential candidates, Grand Ayatollah’s Bashir Hussein al-Najafi and Muhammad Said Hakim.
The fact that al-Sistani has yet to announce who would assume his role is of great concern. If he is to pass away without direction, the only thing that is certain is that a political vacuum will commence. There appears to be some resentment with the fact that Ayatollah Fayadh is of Afghan descent. He is likely to antagonize the Sadrist nationalists, who view him as an Afghan foreigner who should not have a say in Iraq’s politics.
