Outstanding! Iraq's hardline clerics are now condemning the insurgents. 5 Full Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Posted on 07/23/2004 9:41:19 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Shiite Cleric Al-Sadr Condemns Beheadings
15 minutes ago
By ABDUL HUSSEIN AL-OBEIDI, Associated Press Writer
NAJAF, Iraq - Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who led an uprising against U.S. forces, condemned militants on Friday who have beheaded foreigners in Iraq (news - web sites) in the last several months.
Leading Friday prayers for the first time in two months at the Kufa mosque south of Baghdad, denounced militants from the rival Sunni Muslim faction who have claimed to have cut off the heads of at least three foreigners since April.
"We condemn what some people are doing regarding the beheading of prisoners and it is illegal according to Islamic law," al-Sadr said. "Anybody doing this is a criminal and we will punish him according to Islamic law."
Al-Sadr led an uprising against U.S. forces in Shiite-dominated areas across Iraq beginning in April. On-and-off battles between U.S. troops and al-Sadr's al-Mahdi militia left hundreds of people dead before a cease-fire was reached in June.
He has repeatedly condemned the presence of coalition troops here, but his sermon Friday took aim instead at hard-line militants. At least three civilians from the United States, South Korea (news - web sites) and Bulgaria have been beheaded in an effort to scare away countries in the U.S.-led coalition and foreign contractors working here.
A group calling itself "The Holders of the Black Banners" announced this week it had abducted three Kenyans, three Indians and an Egyptian, saying it would behead one captive every 72 hours beginning Saturday night if the Kuwaiti trucking company they worked for did not stop doing business in Iraq and the countries did not pull their citizens out of the country.
After keeping a low profile after U.S. commanders threatened to capture or kill him, al-Sadr appeared in public Sunday for the first time in two months in Najaf, where he paid an unannounced visit to the city's Imam Ali shrine, one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites.
The appearance came as interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi ordered al-Sadr's weekly newspaper, Al-Hawza, reopened. The paper was shut March 28 by the former U.S. civilian administrator of Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, for allegedly inciting violence against coalition troops. The closure helped spark the months of violence.
In his sermon Friday, Al-Sadr also condemned Allawi, whose government took over from Bremer last month, implying he was an illegitimate ruler with no power to order his paper opened or closed.
"Damn you and damn the occupiers," al-Sadr said.
In Baghdad, a Sunni cleric called on Iraqis to "forget their differences" and work together for reconciliation. Sheikh Ahmed al-Samaraie also called on Iraqis to reject coalition forces.
"All Iraqis have to turn a new page and work together to rebuild their country and reject occupation," he said in his sermon at the capital's Um al-Qura mosque.
Allawi's government has struggled to end a 15-month insurgency characterized by bombings and frequent attacks on U.S.-led forces and Iraqi troops and police.
As Mr. Spock might say:
"Fascinating..."
Sadr is just ticked because HE wants to be the one doing the beheadings according to HIS law.
Sounds like he's looking to avoid Robespierre's fate ...
He is a kook, but a kook with logical principles.
More ranting from Iraq's 'legitimate voice'...
Lunatic-to-English translation: We'll behead you.
Oh yeah that's right, I don't give a crap what that dirty bastard has to say.
Sadr is a wuss, where is your militia know? The US marines smoked too many of your boys so know he has gone soft. Talk is cheap.
"We condemn what some people are doing regarding the beheading of prisoners and it is illegal according to Islamic law," al-Sadr said. "Anybody doing this is a criminal and we will punish him according to Islamic law."
And what punishment will it be? Beheading maybe? They seriously dont practice what they preach. This is a joke to try to get more sympathizers. They will say this in public, and then cut more heads off behind doors. What Muslims say holds no weight with my anymore...
(To fight another day against the evil American Empire and it's Iraqi Puppet Government!)
Soooooo, why didn't he issue a fatwah asking for the death of these people. For that matter, why hasn't any muslim cleric on earth issued a fatwah against Osama?
Oh yeah, I remember, its a religion of peace.
Outstanding! Iraq's hardline clerics are now condemning the insurgents. 5 Full Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Outstanding.......Iraq's first taste of Adam Smiths invisible hand.
I guess they don't like the competition.
Must be a "equal opportunity beheading zone"
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