Posted on 06/05/2004 2:49:41 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Najaf (AsiaNews) - The moderate Shi'ite Imam, Sadreddin Al Kabbangi, was very clear today in his words criticism of Shi'ite fundamentalists at the Mosque of the Mausoleum of Ali in Najaf. This was his first address following the attack he suffered last Friday and the first since the formation of the new Iraqi government. The Imam was very critical of Shi'ite clerics in Iran and said "the Shi'ites of Iraq are being invaded by Baathists and Wahhabis." Raising the tone, the moderate Imam called on the Shi'ite faithful to make themselves be heard. "What is the point of your silence when our clerics are threatened by militiamen armed with missiles?" he said, referring to the presence of Al-Sadr's militia in the sacred cities of Najaf and Karbala. "How can you accept the killing of Ulemas and attacks against the tomb of the Imam Ali?", he said, whle adding, "all this happens in the name of war against the Americans at a time when matters have nothing to do with hatred against the Americans." Furthermore, the Imam harshly criticized the Iranian satellite broadcaster, Al-Alam, "which defended Saddam Hussein to the end and now defends the Baathists and passes off what is happening in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq as operations of "Islamic resistence".
A prompt reply arrived from the followers of Moqtada Al-Sadr, who were present and armed at the entrance of the mosque. Dozens of Al Sadr supporters entered the mosque and prevented the moderate Shi'ite Imam from completing his address. Crying "Moqtada, Moqtada, Moqtada," the young supporters of the radical Imam Al Sadr, wearing t-shirts on which "Al Mahdi" was written, began chanting "Allah, Mohammed, Ali, give us victory!" Imam Al Kabangi tried to continue his address; it was clear however that the noisy crowd was drowning out his words, so he decided to abandon the pulpit.
Sheik Al Kabbangi escaped from an attack largely believed to have been plotted by Moqtada Al Sadr, on last Friday, May 28. Hundreds of people marched immediately following prayer services today in Najaf to protest against the attack against Al Kabbangi. The protesters began their march from the offices of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution, chanting slogans in favour of Muslim unity.
PING!?
This is not going to make that warmonger in Iran very happy.
Brave man.
This does not sound as though Al Sadr has been neutralized, as claimed.
That guy is going to resurface again and again unless dealt with in a permanent fashion.
Exactly. We're attempting to do ceasefires with him, while he is attempting to kill more moderate imams, just like he killed Khoei.
A further look at the alignment of these Arab countries shows that Russian and French influence is a mitigating factor and this is, along with North Korea, the final chapter of the Cold War.... It might only be possible to win this stage by bankrupting both France and Russia so as to dispell any notions of economic gain which would usher in an era of politicans and economies that are not dependent upon "Cold War" structures for trade and politics.
Agreed!
The Iraqi security forces are currently in charge in Najaf?
Wow, a native voice of reason and moderation in Iraq. Truly excellent. Prayers for his safety. May his kind multiply, quickly.
Great post and analysis. Are there any good reasons why al-Sadr is still alive?
I'm still waiting for the CPA to arrest the murderers of sheik Khoei.
Not holding my breath on that one.
A covert operation aimed at executing al-Sadr would do wonders for calming the radical elements. There are native Iraqis who would 'suicide kill' al-Sadr. The political will needs to be there.
Very positive rhetoric!
Yes. It is now up to the Iraqis to handle him. This appears to be the next step in that process.
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