All systems go for Al-Sadr -- and civil war. "Iraq's grand ayatollah declines to bless Shiite-Sunni-Kurd bloc: Al-Sistani's refusal is a setback for politicians hoping to isolate al-Sadr, an anti-U.S. cleric," by Qassim Abdul-Zahra for The Associated Press, with thanks to Twostellas:
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric withheld support Saturday for a U.S.-backed plan to build a coalition across sectarian lines, Shiite lawmakers said, jeopardizing hopes that such a show of political unity could help stem the country's deadly violence.Members of the United Iraqi Alliance, the Shiite coalition that dominates parliament, met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf after traveling to the holy city over the past few days. Al-Sistani holds no political post and rarely emerges from his home and adjacent office, but he has strong influence over Shiite politics.
Some members of the Shiite alliance have sought a coalition that would include Kurds and Sunnis, and sideline Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric whose militia is blamed for much of Iraq's sectarian violence. Lawmakers who attended the meeting with al-Sistani said the cleric opposed any move that would divide Shiites.
"There are obstacles in the face of forming this coalition, because al-Sistani does not support it. So we will work to strengthen the (Shiite) alliance," said Hassan al-Sunnaid, of the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Ali al-Adib, also a Dawa Party member, said al-Sistani "does not support such blocs because they will break Shiite unity."
An official close to al-Sistani, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the cleric "will not bless nor support any new bloc or front. He only supports the unity of the Shiites."
met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf after traveling to the holy city
Question for the experts: just what makes a city holy in islam? Iran in particular seems to be filled with holy cities.
Thanks for the clarification Mother Ecc. I had wondered the same thing. hmmmmm.
I know: Let's give him a Nobel Peace Prize!
(the wishful thinking goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and...)
US needs to take their gloves off and go after Al-Sadr and his cohorts in crime. its time to make the crunch over reluctant muslims.
US needs to take their gloves off and go after Al-Sadr and his cohorts in crime.
Ahhhhh....the gloves should've come off about the time our first tank rolled over the Iraq line.
Voted for GWB twice and over the last 2 years has convinced me I voted for an a$$hat twice. After 9/11 I never would have believed that GWB and the milbrass have decided to put our guys through the daily Bagdad grinder and subject them to sniper fire instead of just levellng the f**king place.
Al-Sistani - the latest slap in the face. I guess they're going to need as many militias as they can muster just to protect their sorry asses if/when we throw in the towel....
Anything called Grand Ayatollah should be eliminated off the the face of the earth. Throughout history, when one looks at MiddleEastern history, the ones behind the violence are called either Grand Ayatollah or Grand Mufti. These are evil entities probably dabbling in the occult and mysticism as they seem to have satanical powers.