Jaafari: Sistani wants Islamic law in Iraq

Got your Iraqi scorecard handy? The Ayatollah Sistani, remember, is the moderate pro-democracy one who did not want to see a clerocracy in Iraq. Why did he support the elections? Not because he is some Iraqi Jefferson, but because he knew they would secure power for Shi'ites in Iraq. We saw quite some time ago that he wanted Sharia in Iraq, but others as recently as July 26 continued to delude themselves that he represented a "more benign Islam." Well, time to face the facts. "Cleric Hopes Islam Basis for Law in Iraq," from AP, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:

NAJAF, Iraq - The Iraqi prime minister said Friday that the country's leading Shiite Muslim cleric hopes the constitution being drawn up will enshrine Islam as the main source of legislation — something opposed by Kurds and some Iraqi women activists.
A younger radical Shiite cleric, meanwhile, urged Iraqis to participate in the constitutional process but added that he personally would not vote in elections planned for year's end because of the presence of foreign troops.

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari commented on the constitution after spending nearly two hours with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most influential cleric in the Shiite Muslim community, which makes up 60 percent of Iraq's population....

Al-Jaafari later met with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has toned down his opposition to the U.S.-led coalition since his supporters staged a failed uprising last year, and Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, one of four Shiite grand ayatollahs but who does not have a high profile politically.

After that meeting, al-Jaafari was asked whether al-Sistani wants Islam to be the main source of legislation or one of the sources.

"Ayatollah al-Sistani does not want to impose dictation on drafting the constitution, but according to my knowledge he hopes that Islam become the main source of legislation," al-Jaafari replied.

Al-Sadr also told reporters that every Iraqi should be involved in the constitutional process, although he added that he would not participate in the planned Dec. 15 elections.

"I will not take part in the presence of occupiers, but I will give the freedom to whoever wants to join," he said.

The key points of disagreement on the constitution include the role of Islam, Iraq's identity, federalism and the country's language.

« Previous Entry | Home Page | Next Entry »

11 Comments

DP111 | August 5, 2005 4:59 PM

TWO BANGLADESHI CHRISTIANS KILLED FOR SHOWING JESUS FILM

Sad news from Bangladesh. Yes, the very country that is always cap in hand to the West.
--------------------------------
Two evangelists in Bowalmari District Faridpur, Bangladesh, were stabbed to death around midnight on 29th July.

Liplal Mardy (35) and Tapan Roy (30) had been showing the Jesus film, as well as health education films, in villages around the area. They had received at least two verbal threats from the head of the local madrassa (Islamic religious school), telling them to stop showing the film. After the second threat they stopped their work and were planning to leave the area, but were murdered before they could do so.
-------------------------------
From the Barnabus Fund.

Quijybo | August 5, 2005 5:06 PM

Great. Let them create another Islamic state like Iran. Eventually everyone in their country will HATE Sharia and become atheists. It is happening in Iran now. I believe this is the only real way to cleanse the Islamic world of, well, Islam, or what Islam is today. Western secularism rose out of exhaustion with religious wars and tyranny. Why not let the Muslim world do the same thing to themselves?

While we're at it, spend 1% of GNP on replacing oil, rather than 1% of GNP on "liberating" Iraq.

Quijbo

Doug | August 5, 2005 5:14 PM

OT: Robert,

Thanks for all the free education you and the staff provide. I rarely post but still check in several times per day. I'll continue to do so regardless of whether or not the 'comments' section is closed. I've found this site a great resource for a back-and-forth I've had with a local Islamist in my local paper for well over a year.

Keep up the good work.

BigSleep | August 5, 2005 5:21 PM

If a hardcore religious leader wanted anything BUT what worked to his advantage it would be a miracle.

I prefer:

"My kingdom is not of this world"

Or:

"Wake up. Be compassionate."

Or, especially:

"Know thyself."

(But the final one is expressly forbidden by Islam, where you are only allowed to know the Koran.)

pedestrian infidel | August 5, 2005 5:33 PM

When will our leaders realize they have been had by Islam and its apologists and agents they surround themselves with? That day must come soon.

voletti | August 5, 2005 5:48 PM

Time the US admitted its failed Iraq policy and quickly, quietly withdrew ASAP. That certainly seems to be the opinion of many here. For once, I too agree.

Let the Iraqi 'moderates' - such as they are - and the rest of the world deal with the fallout.

The US can then go back into an isolationist international posture. The US navy should stop patrolling the sea lanes which ensure maritime security to practically all of the world's merchandise-shipping troublespots.

We can and will survive alone and isolated - hey, it sure will be difficult in the beginning, no illusions about that.

Let the rest of the world deal with the vaccum that will arise - China filling it up maybe - and see for themselves how utopic a world without the US is!

treehugger | August 5, 2005 6:08 PM

Violetti-
The isolationist policy is attractive, however, do you want China active on OUR borders? From what I've heard, China is quietly attempting to make inroads in Latin America. Unfortunately, for our own security, we need to stay somewhat involved (particularly with fellow democracies).

I DO think we should become self sufficient as possible. Business interests should take a back seat to national security, and keep us free of foreign entanglements based on the need for fuel, food, or other raw materials.

Matt | August 5, 2005 6:18 PM

Quijybo:

Your post was right on the money. I am an immigration attorney in the DC area, and have been representing an increasing number of Iranian apostates--i.e., those who have left Islam without reservation and face persecution if they were ever to return to Iran. Some apostates convert to Christianity, but many others become completely and unreservedly secular, and completely disgusted with religious dogma as a result of living under Sharia.

Iran is becoming a very, very interesting place. Persians are very much aware that they are NOT Arabs, and that their culture and history is far more diverse and interesting. Take what you may read about life in Iran these days with a grain of salt--there is an enormous underground culture happening there, and although anecdotal, I believe something "big" will happen within the next several years in that country. The people are too smart and too savvy not for this to happen.

Iraq is a total waste of resources--not the least of which are our brave and committed soldiers, facing constant heat and the threat of IEDs. Historically, there is no such thing as the unified country of Iraq. I can't believe this administration learned nothing from Ottoman history. Let the Iraqis fight one another--I don't see how we can lose in that situation as long as the WMD situation is effectively monitored.

If we put even 50% of the amount the taxpayers are spending in Iraq into alternative fuel exploration, it would pay dividends. It is such utter insanity. The initial invasion was correct, but the "building of democracy" phase is simply absurd.

Matt

P.S. I know that Mr. Spencer is contemplating an end to posting on this site. I feel terrible, since I just signed up. Also, Hugh's comments in particular are in general quite good. But I also understand how racist or otherwise crude comments can put a fly in the ointment of Mr. Spencer's extraordinarily important message about the nature of the threat we face from Islam. Unvarnished Islam. In short, "real" Islam. Best to all.

napablogger | August 5, 2005 10:22 PM

Interesting comments, so far I think we need to stay the course and achieve some kind of victory for Democracy in Iraq, although I agree it is certainly a mess. The biggest problem I see now is the triumph chasing us out of Iraq with our tails between our legs would be for the terrorists. It would give them huge strength and we cannot allow that. It is nice to think in terms of isolationism but that has never really worked for long for the US. It's not just the oil, it is the World Trade Center which will happen again if we do not fight them. They are not going to quit til we make them. Handing them this victory will just severely lengthen that process, I believe. We have to win.

riddemall | August 5, 2005 11:21 PM

YES! We have to win .Anything less will slowly remove the stars of the flag and replace it with the crescent

BigSleep | August 6, 2005 1:06 AM

In the event that Mr. Spencer ends these COMMENTS, I'm trying to set up a back-up blog for that purpose.

Try this and see if it works:

http://watchjihad.blogspot.com/

refering to this article, specifically. (A hyperlink in it leads back to this site.)

And a previous one, about the 'back-up' idea, in general:

http://watchmyjihad.blogspot.com/

I am trying to see if they connect between the two, for viewers and commenters, (scroll to bottom to leave comment), because, for the one setting these sites up, they are not all that intuitively clear about how a second posting appears or links in/to the first. (But I'll get there.)

MEANWHILE:

No Sharia west of Mecca!

(Or east.)

(Or north.)

(And especially not south!)

FrontPageMag.com

Books by Robert Spencer

The Muslim Brotherhood in America, by Robert Spencer

Islamophobia: Thoughtcrime of the Totalitarian Future

Muslim Persecution of Christians, by Robert Spencer

The Ground Zero Mosque: Second Wave of the 9/11 Attacks

“My comrade-in-arms, my pal, my buddy.”
— Oriana Fallaci

“Robert Spencer incarnates intellectual courage when, all over the world, governments, intellectuals, churches, universities and media crawl under a hegemonic Universal Caliphate’s New Order. His achievement in the battle for the survival of free speech and dignity of man will remain as a fundamental monument to the love of, and the self-sacrifice for, liberty.”
— Bat Ye’or

“Robert Spencer is indefatigable. He is keeping up the good fight long after many have already given up. I do not know what we would do without him. I appreciate all the intelligence and courage it takes to keep going despite the appeasement of the West.”
— Ibn Warraq

“America's most informed, fearless, and compelling voice on modern jihadism.”
— Andrew C. McCarthy, Senior Fellow at National Review Institute

“Robert Spencer is the leading voice of scholarship and reason in a world gone mad. If the West is to be saved, we will owe Robert Spencer an incalculable debt.”
— Pamela Geller, Atlas Shrugs

"The consummate Islam critic and expert." — Bruce Bawer

“Over the years, we have become friends, and I have received his assistance on several pieces of legislation I proposed.”
— Former Congressman Tom Tancredo

“Few people are capable of applying scholarship, analytical reasoning, and objectivity to their topic -- while simultaneously being readable and witty -- as can Robert Spencer.”
— Raymond Ibrahim

“A national treasure...The acclaimed scholar of Islam.”
— Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy

“I am indeed honored to call him my friend.”
— Brad Thor, novelist

“A top American analyst of Islam....A serious scholar...I learn from him.”
— Daniel Pipes

“A brilliant scholar and writer.”
— Douglas Murray

"One of my best teachers."
— Ashraf Ramelah, Voice of the Copts

“Thank God there’s at least one man with balls left in the West.”
— Kathy Shaidle, Five Feet of Fury

“I read people like [Mark Steyn] and Bob Spencer and the rest of them, and I say, ‘Boortz, you’re pretending you’re an author. These people really are. They really write some entertaining, some standup stuff.’”
— Neal Boortz

“Robert Spencer is the Stephen King of Jihad.”
— Chris Gaubatz, Muslim Mafia

“Armed with facts and fearlessness, Spencer stands up for Western civilization.”
— Michelle Malkin

“Widely read in conservative foreign policy circles.”
— New York Times

“Widely read in many quarters in Washington.”
— Washington Post

“A canny operative who likely has the inside track on the State Department’s Middle East affairs desk should the tea party win the White House.”
— New York Magazine

“A hero of the American right.”
— Karen Armstrong

"The leading anti-Islamic intellectual in the United States....The go-to Islam expert for the right wing."
— Salon Magazine

“Robert Spencer is an Edward Said turned upside down.”
— Stephen Suleyman Schwartz

“One of the nation's most notorious Islamophobes.”
— Hamas-linked CAIR

"Geller and Spencer are probably the most important propagandizing Islamophobes in the world. These people's voices speak very loudly — not just here in the United States but overseas."
— Heidi Beirach, Southern Poverty Law Center

“Satanic ignoramus.”
— Khaleel Mohammed

“The Likud anti-Christ.”
— Dar al-Hayat newspaper (Saudi Arabia)

“Zionist Crusader, missionary of hate, counter-Islam consultant.”
— Al-Qaeda’s Adam Gadahn, “Azzam the American”