Posted on 03/17/2005 8:17:04 PM PST by WmShirerAdmirer
BAGHDAD: As Shias ascend to power in Iraq and turn toward writing a new constitution, the key role expected for their spiritual leader, enigmatic Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is once again a subject of mystery and debate.
Top aides say al-Sistani, 75, who remained sequestered at his home in the holy city of Najaf during the Wednesday opening session of the new Iraqi parliament, has no desire to push for a constitution that turns Iraq into an Islamic republic. But they say al-Sistani will not sign off on a document that condones violations of Islamís basic tenets, including, for example, womenís place in public life and the laws governing divorce. The broader question is whether al-Sistani, the largely unseen hand that has guided the countryís Shia majority since the fall of Saddam Husseinís regime two years ago, will seek to continue influencing Iraqi politics into the future.
Some believe he might eventually seek a place as the countryís ultimate source of power, the way Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini once was in Iran.
Most Iraqis are deeply attached to their Islamic identity but do not want a strict application of sharia, Islamic law, as in neighbouring Saudi Arabia or Iran, according to results of a poll released on Thursday.
About 48 per cent of those interviewed agreed that "religion has a special role to play in the government", while 46 per cent supported a separation of state and mosque.
The poll was based on some 2,000 interviews conducted between February 27 and March 5 covering 15 of 18 provinces by an Iraqi firm employed by the right-wing US International Republican Institute. The predominantly Sunni provinces of Anbar and Ninevah and Kurdish Dohuk were excluded.
Iraq opened a new 275-member national assembly but politicians failed to form a unity government in the landmark session, just days before the second anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. The historic inauguration, meanwhile, coming six weeks after elections, was largely ceremonial amid the political stalemate between the Kurds and Shias.
Haggling over Kurdish claims on the ethnically-divided, oil-rich city of Kirkuk and the status of their peshmerga militia was helping stall progress on key Cabinet appointments. The Shia candidate for prime minister, Ibrahim Jaafari, said it could take another fortnight but denied that the talks had hit a brick wall. But the landmark parliament session served as a forum for Islamists, secular Iraqis, Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis to stake out their positions ahead of their main task of drafting Iraq’s permanent constitution.
Why not just give Iraq our constitution since we are not using it.
Why not just give Iraq our constitution since we are not using it.
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Well put. If we did that, the ACLU would have nothing to do but get legitimate jobs. That would kill them off for sure. Iraq's Mullah swamis are going to have to realize there is a huge differnce between a constitutional democracy and a group of brainwashed religous followers. Everyone of these Mullahs cannot be the "boss" -- and a representative government does have a STRUCTURE to it, not just one, robe-wearing religous dictator....no one said this would be easy.
Was amused by your reply to the posting.
THAT is my nomination for quote of the day :-)
Sistani should get the Nobel peace prize. He and the Shia have shown remarkable patience and resolve.
Good one!
I agree. He has really done a wonderful job in tremendously difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Outstanding sarcasm.
LOL good point.
I don't know. These guys don't have track records in what we're asking them to do, so its hard to make a prediction.
How could anyone expect him to?
Thanks, I just laughed so hard my dog got up and checked me out!
Very good point. It pains many to see how far we are being pushed down the road of socialism.
I think that we have something to learn from the Iraqis. Read "church" for "mosque" and too many American clerics and "faithful" would condemn Sistani. They would readily impose a "Christian" rather than an "Islamic" government.
I agree with the sentiment that we are ignoring our own constitution, particularly the First and Second Amendments.
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