[lit-ideas] Iranian hand in the Iraqi "uprising"
- From: Scribe1865@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 01:11:40 EDT
Anyone come across any other reporting on the Iranian backing of al-Sadr?
[from http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37881]
Last April, an Iranian cleric, Kadhem al-Husseini al-Haeri, issued a
religious edict and distributed to Shiite mullahs in Iraq, calling on them "to
seize
the first possible opportunity to fill the power vacuum in the administration
of Iraqi cities."
The edict, or fatwa, issued April 8, 2003, suggests that Shiite clerics in
Iraq are receiving significant direction from Iran as they try to assert the
power of Iraq's long-oppressed religious majority.
The United States has warned Iran not to meddle in Iraqi affairs.
The edict said that Shiite leaders have to "seize as many positions as
possible to impose a fait accompli for any coming government." Using the
familiar
language Iranian clerics often apply to the United States, the fatwa urges the
Shiite clergy to work against American influence among Shiites.
"People have to be taught not to collapse morally before the means used by
the Great Satan if it stays in Iraq," the fatwa reads. "It will try to spread
moral decay, incite lust by allowing easy access to stimulating satellite
channels and spread debauchery to weaken people's faith."
The fatwa also instructs the cleric's followers to "raise people's awareness
of the Great Satan's plans and of the means to abort them."
The Shiites are by far the most significant group grabbing for power in
central and southern Iraq both because of their dominant demographic position
â??
more than 60 percent of Iraq's people are Shiite Muslims â?? and because their
religion gives them an authoritative system to build upon.
On April 7, the day American troops effectively toppled Hussein's government
by seizing its main seats of power in Baghdad, al-Haeri sent a handwritten
letter to the city of Najaf, appointing Moktada al-Sadr as his deputy in Iraq.
Haeri wrote: "We hereby inform you that Mr. Moktada al-Sadr is our deputy and
representative in all fatwa affairs."
It added: "His position is my position."
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