Home
After a decade behind the scenes .. Sistani overlies Theater Iraqi politics
Tue Jul 01 2014 01:53 | (Voice of Iraq)
Najaf: «Middle East»
Lying away from the city of Najaf, Baghdad palaces and luxury battles raging in northern Iraq, Fbautea mud-brick alleys and dirt do not suggest by force or influence .. but here in this city where he works most influential Iraqi clerics determined the future of Iraq.
During the last three Friday sermons led the supreme Shiite Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (83 years), which occupies a prominent place in the hearts of millions of Shiites in Iraq and elsewhere, a more active role in the political life in Iraq since more than ten years. It is his office which is located in one of the alleys and heavily guarded, said al-Sistani to dominate public affairs by demanding politicians to form a new government without delay, which may precipitate an end to the reign of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, which lasted eight years.
Usually preferred Sistani isolation and playing from behind the scenes, but he ascended the political theater on 13 June at the invitation of Iraqis to take up arms to counter the onslaught of militants organization «Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant (Daash)» and other organizations. That was the first of its kind fatwa in a century. The clerics say they know a way of thinking that what he called al-Sistani, for this is the fear that the state is on the brink of collapse.
Tens of thousands of men to Sistani's call to strengthen the army, which seemed at moments on the verge of disintegration. Sistani has promised an appeal to form a government more inclusive veiled rebuke of the owners even among supporters of the prime minister. Sistani called blocs policy last Friday to choose a prime minister and a president and head of the parliament by the first of next month, which means that al-Maliki has said during the days.
The Shiite lawmaker said: «Today the road map and clear, and there is a timetable, and if Sistani put everyone in a difficult position».
But opinions also involve the risk of near-term and long-term. Sunni leaders say that Sistani's call to arms has fueled the conflict. On a larger scale, salutes these fatwas old question about the role of the clergy in Najaf in the affairs of the state, who are always distancing themselves from politics.
A Western diplomat said he has a strong knowledge of the religious establishment: «issued (Sistani) has not issued a fatwa Shiites since 90 years or more. Will not back down. Wants to play a role. If the decline after the issuance of this opinion would be considered, such as the lack of responsibility for his part ». He summarized the Shiite MP who is close to Sistani situation by saying: «Sistani leads now».
Sistani is the most revered in Najaf between the references of Najaf and four more in the reference model for Iraq. For the millions who follow him, the fatwa can not be debated.
He says Thaer al-Khatib (56 years), a cloth merchant working in the street, which is located where the shrine of Imam Ali al-Sistani's fatwa has saved the country.
Maliki became under pressure, may be the immediate result of the intervention of Sistani is accelerating the process of forming a new government - a process that took about nine months, the last time in 2010 - which may precipitate an end to the reign of al-Maliki.
Did not leave Sistani's call last Friday for the politicians to choose the Prime Minister by the first of July next, doubt that the crisis led him to take over his apparent since the early days of the American occupation when pressure in 2004 in order to hold early elections and a referendum on the Constitution and culminated in his efforts success.
The move puts pressure on Maliki, who cast him many Iraqis and Western officials blame for the marginalization of Kurds, Sunnis, and the failure to tackle the insurgency. Sistani called on to form a government that does not investigate anyone, which promise some of the characters across the Iraqi political spectrum should be an indication of the departure of al-Maliki. He said Shiite MP: «the door shut in front of al-Maliki».
He acknowledged, another official of the ruling coalition, which belongs to him al-Maliki that the statements Sistani involving criticism of the policies of Prime Minister, but said al-Sistani does not seek to overthrow the al-Maliki, and added: «Sistani does not want to be involved in choosing the next prime minister, but should progress».
He says Haider al-Khoei, a researcher Foundation «Chatham House» Research in London, said there was a possibility not enough scolding al-Sistani, the United States and Iran to overthrow the al-Maliki because he is well versed in the political game in Iraq. He adds: «Maliki can play cards more than any politician in Iraq .. If he'd wanted to be, I think it would be he'd».
Perhaps this is the volatility of the reasons why the clergy are reluctant to intervene directly in the chaos of political life in Iraq. Compared to the past, al-Sistani may seek to maintain this distance in the long run.
He cited Farhan al-Saadi, a cleric and professor of Najaf, a scene from the novel «Don Quixote» in describing the approach that is followed by senior clerics against the state. The ruler, a knight in Miguel Cervantes novel, the holder of the shield should not issue a lot of decisions and that the decisions issued by the carefully considered.
Saadi said that if the intervention of any religious authority in every crisis occur either on the border or energy, just to once again become a politician.
But clerics say the situation is now urgent, Fjtt soldiers killed by gunmen up periodically to Najaf to accommodate a large cemetery includes graves with pictures of the men who were killed in the sectarian war that broke out between 2006 and 2007. During this period of conflict and the U.S. occupation entire Sistani called for restraint, while many clerics younger and more radical, such as Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite crowd to fight and sometimes ridicule from the cautious habit which one persists adults.
Said Ali al-Najafi, the son of another reference from the references of Najaf, said that «the difference lies in that organization (Daash) now represents a threat to the existence of the Shiites in Iraq, they are armed better than the Sunni groups earlier, and Admon in the list of allies members of the regime of former President Saddam Hussein ». Najafi believes that Sistani's fatwa revived the morale of the army after it appeared that the insurgency is about to invade Baghdad. He added that he did not object to U.S. forces launched air strikes did not oppose join Shi'ite militias to fight to eliminate «Daash» as long as it is legal. Najafi said that «the militants pose a threat to the existence of Iraq, a threat to the Shiites in general and non-Shiites also».
But Sunni figures that you see danger in the active role played by al-Sistani now is that it may deepen the sectarian dimension of the conflict. Said Sheikh Ahmed al-Qubaisi of the channel «Arab» Sistani ordered his followers now wear camouflage uniforms and fight of the year. Mufti also condemned the Iraqi lifter Rifai fatwa wondering: «Where Sistani was when the United States occupied Iraq?».
Supporters say that Sistani's call to arms carefully worded so that it refers to all Iraqis, not only Shiites, though «Daash» is who wants to convert it into a sectarian issue.
The pay-Hakim that the fatwa is probably already contributed in reducing the likelihood of a bloodbath because they encouraged people to fight within the framework determined by the state rather than take matters into their own hands. But critics say that the fatwa was granted legitimacy to the Shiite militias that operate outside the law. He acknowledged Haider Nazar, a professor in Najaf, that the fatwa has fueled sectarian feelings, but he argued that the biggest advantages of disadvantages, pointing out that the alternative is the collapse of the state.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Tue Jul 01 2014 01:53 | (Voice of Iraq)
Najaf: «Middle East»
Lying away from the city of Najaf, Baghdad palaces and luxury battles raging in northern Iraq, Fbautea mud-brick alleys and dirt do not suggest by force or influence .. but here in this city where he works most influential Iraqi clerics determined the future of Iraq.
During the last three Friday sermons led the supreme Shiite Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (83 years), which occupies a prominent place in the hearts of millions of Shiites in Iraq and elsewhere, a more active role in the political life in Iraq since more than ten years. It is his office which is located in one of the alleys and heavily guarded, said al-Sistani to dominate public affairs by demanding politicians to form a new government without delay, which may precipitate an end to the reign of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, which lasted eight years.
Usually preferred Sistani isolation and playing from behind the scenes, but he ascended the political theater on 13 June at the invitation of Iraqis to take up arms to counter the onslaught of militants organization «Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant (Daash)» and other organizations. That was the first of its kind fatwa in a century. The clerics say they know a way of thinking that what he called al-Sistani, for this is the fear that the state is on the brink of collapse.
Tens of thousands of men to Sistani's call to strengthen the army, which seemed at moments on the verge of disintegration. Sistani has promised an appeal to form a government more inclusive veiled rebuke of the owners even among supporters of the prime minister. Sistani called blocs policy last Friday to choose a prime minister and a president and head of the parliament by the first of next month, which means that al-Maliki has said during the days.
The Shiite lawmaker said: «Today the road map and clear, and there is a timetable, and if Sistani put everyone in a difficult position».
But opinions also involve the risk of near-term and long-term. Sunni leaders say that Sistani's call to arms has fueled the conflict. On a larger scale, salutes these fatwas old question about the role of the clergy in Najaf in the affairs of the state, who are always distancing themselves from politics.
A Western diplomat said he has a strong knowledge of the religious establishment: «issued (Sistani) has not issued a fatwa Shiites since 90 years or more. Will not back down. Wants to play a role. If the decline after the issuance of this opinion would be considered, such as the lack of responsibility for his part ». He summarized the Shiite MP who is close to Sistani situation by saying: «Sistani leads now».
Sistani is the most revered in Najaf between the references of Najaf and four more in the reference model for Iraq. For the millions who follow him, the fatwa can not be debated.
He says Thaer al-Khatib (56 years), a cloth merchant working in the street, which is located where the shrine of Imam Ali al-Sistani's fatwa has saved the country.
Maliki became under pressure, may be the immediate result of the intervention of Sistani is accelerating the process of forming a new government - a process that took about nine months, the last time in 2010 - which may precipitate an end to the reign of al-Maliki.
Did not leave Sistani's call last Friday for the politicians to choose the Prime Minister by the first of July next, doubt that the crisis led him to take over his apparent since the early days of the American occupation when pressure in 2004 in order to hold early elections and a referendum on the Constitution and culminated in his efforts success.
The move puts pressure on Maliki, who cast him many Iraqis and Western officials blame for the marginalization of Kurds, Sunnis, and the failure to tackle the insurgency. Sistani called on to form a government that does not investigate anyone, which promise some of the characters across the Iraqi political spectrum should be an indication of the departure of al-Maliki. He said Shiite MP: «the door shut in front of al-Maliki».
He acknowledged, another official of the ruling coalition, which belongs to him al-Maliki that the statements Sistani involving criticism of the policies of Prime Minister, but said al-Sistani does not seek to overthrow the al-Maliki, and added: «Sistani does not want to be involved in choosing the next prime minister, but should progress».
He says Haider al-Khoei, a researcher Foundation «Chatham House» Research in London, said there was a possibility not enough scolding al-Sistani, the United States and Iran to overthrow the al-Maliki because he is well versed in the political game in Iraq. He adds: «Maliki can play cards more than any politician in Iraq .. If he'd wanted to be, I think it would be he'd».
Perhaps this is the volatility of the reasons why the clergy are reluctant to intervene directly in the chaos of political life in Iraq. Compared to the past, al-Sistani may seek to maintain this distance in the long run.
He cited Farhan al-Saadi, a cleric and professor of Najaf, a scene from the novel «Don Quixote» in describing the approach that is followed by senior clerics against the state. The ruler, a knight in Miguel Cervantes novel, the holder of the shield should not issue a lot of decisions and that the decisions issued by the carefully considered.
Saadi said that if the intervention of any religious authority in every crisis occur either on the border or energy, just to once again become a politician.
But clerics say the situation is now urgent, Fjtt soldiers killed by gunmen up periodically to Najaf to accommodate a large cemetery includes graves with pictures of the men who were killed in the sectarian war that broke out between 2006 and 2007. During this period of conflict and the U.S. occupation entire Sistani called for restraint, while many clerics younger and more radical, such as Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite crowd to fight and sometimes ridicule from the cautious habit which one persists adults.
Said Ali al-Najafi, the son of another reference from the references of Najaf, said that «the difference lies in that organization (Daash) now represents a threat to the existence of the Shiites in Iraq, they are armed better than the Sunni groups earlier, and Admon in the list of allies members of the regime of former President Saddam Hussein ». Najafi believes that Sistani's fatwa revived the morale of the army after it appeared that the insurgency is about to invade Baghdad. He added that he did not object to U.S. forces launched air strikes did not oppose join Shi'ite militias to fight to eliminate «Daash» as long as it is legal. Najafi said that «the militants pose a threat to the existence of Iraq, a threat to the Shiites in general and non-Shiites also».
But Sunni figures that you see danger in the active role played by al-Sistani now is that it may deepen the sectarian dimension of the conflict. Said Sheikh Ahmed al-Qubaisi of the channel «Arab» Sistani ordered his followers now wear camouflage uniforms and fight of the year. Mufti also condemned the Iraqi lifter Rifai fatwa wondering: «Where Sistani was when the United States occupied Iraq?».
Supporters say that Sistani's call to arms carefully worded so that it refers to all Iraqis, not only Shiites, though «Daash» is who wants to convert it into a sectarian issue.
The pay-Hakim that the fatwa is probably already contributed in reducing the likelihood of a bloodbath because they encouraged people to fight within the framework determined by the state rather than take matters into their own hands. But critics say that the fatwa was granted legitimacy to the Shiite militias that operate outside the law. He acknowledged Haider Nazar, a professor in Najaf, that the fatwa has fueled sectarian feelings, but he argued that the biggest advantages of disadvantages, pointing out that the alternative is the collapse of the state.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
» utube 6/13/24 MM&C IQD Update-Iraqi Dinar-2024 Budget Gazzette-Dollar Decline-WTO Working Group Ju
» Minister of Labor: We call on all media organizations to register their journalists under the Social
» Al-Sudani confirms the progress of the fight against corruption “in every corner where it hides”
» Iranian Ambassador: We support the unity of Iraq
» Popular demands to activate laws to restrict weapons and address the arms chaos in Iraq
» State of law: The new American ambassador violated Iraqi sovereignty before her arrival
» American officials: The safety of our soldiers in Iraq is more important than dragging us into a con
» The ambassador's statements are sovereign violations... and the absence of a response harms Iraq
» The new American ambassador...provocative statements and hidden intentions
» In light of her offensive statements... Politician: The American ambassador is trying to gauge the w
» Anbari official: The governorate’s budget only covers 20% of Ramadi’s requirements
» Iraq imports vegetables and fruits worth $50 million from Türkiye in a month
» Iraq appreciates Tunisia's decision to lift visas for Iraqis to enter its territory
» Parliamentary praise for the agriculture budget: equivalent to 3 times what was allocated in 10 year
» Iran: $10 billion worth of our annual exports to Iraq
» A new clarification from Parliament Finance regarding the job staffing law.. When will it be voted o
» Iraq is preparing to establish a project that will change the oil map.. Will it affect energy produc
» For the second year in a row... oil refining capacity has increased in America
» The Service Council sets an interview date for applicants for appointment who hold a master’s degree
» Al-Sudani directs a package of measures to provide job opportunities for graduates in Dhi Qar
» Hussein arrives in Switzerland to participate in the "Peace in Ukraine" summit
» Meat and Eid are at loggerheads in Iraq this year... Eid Al-Adha came with a “mid-month drought”
» A "livestock crisis" in Iraq is accompanied by a search for a "protein" alternative and fear of dead
» Warnings in Anbar about the repercussions of the US ambassador’s interference in the country’s affai
» The Foreign Minister invites the High Representative of the European Union to visit Iraq
» Iraq.. The curse of corruption is strangling the electricity arteries
» Al-Hayani: The region refuses the entry of Iraqi forces to protect it from Turkish bombing
» Abdel Joudah: America sees Iraq as part of its international orbit
» “Finance”: The staffing law will determine the job grades needed by ministries and departments
» A digital center calls for adopting visits to Iraqi prison inmates via the Internet
» Al-Sudani directs the Ministry of Finance to finance projects in Dhi Qar with an amount of 50 billio
» Iran identifies three main components of its policy towards Iraq
» Al-Sudani directs to provide job opportunities for graduates in Dhi Qar
» Al-Araji to the American Ambassador: The paths of the Sudanese government enjoy support from various
» Al-Sudani congratulates Eid Al-Adha: We affirm the progress of combating social ills and corruption
» A significant increase in Iraq's oil exports to America
» After the stock market stopped, the dollar exchange rates stabilized in Baghdad
» utube 6/11/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar-IQD Update-2024 Budget Dispurse-Legally Resolved-CBI- EU-IMF Support
» Changing the oil map: An Iraqi project affecting energy producers
» Sales of the Central Bank of Iraq exceed one billion dollars within a week
» Electronic payment in Iraq: huge profits for companies at the expense of citizens
» The President of the Republic: The necessity of providing support and legislation guaranteeing freed
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to about 8 billion
» Mayor of Baghdad: Our water purification projects conform to international health specifications
» The “new” American ambassador to Iraq attacks the factions: I will fight their influence in Iraq
» Iran blows the whistle on increasing daily oil production from a field shared with Iraq
» The fate of democracy in Kurdistan: between postponement, manipulation, and sharing the “cake”
» Creating a unit to extract oil from plastic waste with the help of water
» Movement to establish a petrochemical city in Diyala
» Parliamentary Integrity: Extending the Basra Pipeline - an obstacle to wasting Iraqi money
» The Security Committee shows the results of combating electronic blackmail
» Parliament moves against companies that support the Zionist entity
» A representative calls for doubling the service effort and increasing allocations to Nineveh
» Exploiting the Halfaya field gas increases electricity production in Iraq
» Baghdad sends 20 billion dinars to the Kurdistan Region in farmers’ dues
» Al-Sudani: The government is following a new approach aimed at activating the private sector
» Iraq announces the results of the experimental census
» Parliamentary Energy regarding the dismissal of officials in the Ministry of Electricity: They were
» Iraq sets a date for closing the Sulaymaniyah camps.. How many displaced people remain?
» To ensure energy supply...a government confirmation of the supply of electricity with fuel
» Kurdistan and Iran discuss economic and trade fields
» Deploying ATM machines in Rafidain Bank branches
» “There is no control over it.” Parliamentary Finance opens the file of providing travelers with doll
» “Public threats to obstruct it.” The Sudanese government faces a challenge to complete the project t
» The new candidate for the US Embassy reviews her list of priorities in Iraq
» Between the past and the present...the history of car numbers in Iraq and their connection to politi
» The Defense Parliament demands the opening of a full investigation into the livelihoods of defense p
» Fears of procrastination regarding the evacuation of foreign forces from the country
» Condition of pledging not to act... releasing containers piled up in ports “that do not have an insp
» Government monitoring committees to “prevent the exploitation of tourists” in Kurdistan
» Parliament reveals the reasons for not recognizing private universities and colleges in the Kurdista
» 4 important files in an Iraqi governorate receive “direct directions” from Al-Sudani
» Parliament hints at a “revolution” in implementing laws in the new legislative term
» The dollar continues to fly in Baghdad markets
» Oil confirms the supply of electricity with fuel to prepare energy and indicates a decline in “gas”
» Golden days for sellers...the recession hits the “Eid sacrifices” market in Diyala and the prices ar
» “Iraq in a Minute” is a tour of the latest developments today
» Officially... Iraq is removed from the list of using children in armed conflicts
» An economist explains the causes of the housing crisis and confirms: New cities are the solution to
» Al-Mandalawi congratulates the journalistic family on the anniversary of Iraqi Press Day
» Judge Hanoun appreciates the role of the Iraqi press in exposing corruption files
» Iraqis resort to “gold bullion” instead of money, and the banking system is dying
» Iraq signs an agreement with "IFC" to develop the stock market
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to about 8 billion
» Abu Ragheef: The international community and the regional environment are monitoring the Iraqi polit
» Rafidain Bank begins deploying ATMs in its main branches
» Masrour Barzani and Bagheri stress the development of trade and economic relations between Iraq and
» Al-Sudani: Some parties sought to use the name of the PMF to carry out what deviates from its duties
» The Financial Supervision Authority announces the development of a systematic plan to complete the f
» The Minister of Electricity praises the signing of the financing agreement to connect the Gulf syste
» OPEC Secretary General: We do not expect demand for oil to reach its peak in the long term
» The House of Representatives sends the decision to approve the budget schedules to the Presidency of
» Electricity grants branch managers of distribution companies the authority to purchase transformers
» Labor announces the launch of “Eidiya” for retired insured workers
» Request to hold an emergency session of the Basra Council to discuss “dangerous pollution” (document
» The shutdown of "Iranian lines" puts one million people in eastern Iraq in crisis
» Retroactively... filing a lawsuit against the Ministry of Finance over the 2023 budget
» Parliament reveals the reasons for not recognizing private universities and colleges in the Kurdista