Cleric Risks a Backlash With Anti-U.S. Rhetoric

The Iranian Student Movement Up to the Minute Reports ^ | July 28, 2003 | Anthony Shadid

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Cleric Risks a Backlash With Anti-U.S. Rhetoric

July 28, 2003 The Washington Post Anthony Shadid

BAGHDAD -- With militant sermons drawing tens of thousands of followers, the young scion of one of Iraq's most revered ayatollahs has laid claim to leadership of the Shiite Muslim opposition to the U.S. occupation. But in seeking to rally the most disenfranchised and alienated of the Shiite majority, Moqtada Sadr has embarked on a strategy that his supporters acknowledge risks creating a dangerous backlash.

Residents of the holy city of Najaf have grown angry at the boisterous crowds Sadr's group has shepherded to consecutive Friday sermons, fearing strife in a city that has remained relatively quiet. U.S. officials, aware of Sadr's demands that American forces leave Najaf, have warned him not to go too far. And other clergy, many far more senior than the 30-year-old activist, worry that his calls will bring to the surface bitter divisions among Shiites -- between former exiles and those who remained through the rule of ousted president Saddam Hussein, and between those cooperating with U.S. forces and those opposed.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Brief yourself on the events in Iran, the people, the issues that will likely effect all of our lives."

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Please post current comments on this on-going discussion thread. – Click Link Below!

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”

[Humvee]

If this is "up to the minute" why is it dated July?

[tbpiper]

If this is "up to the minute" why is it dated July?

Different time zone.