The representative of grand ayatollah sistani iraqs most senior shia cleric tells how sistani forced the americans into agreeing to elections in iraq. Cricket but no chess in sistanis vision for democratic iraq. S portion to be allocated to soothe the patients and prevent people from being affected by the coronavirus. America and the new iraqi government were able to defeat sadr militarily, but it set the stage for. Najaf, iraq, 29 november 2017 the special representative of the secretarygeneral srsg for iraq, mr. In the name of allah of curse, grand ayatollah sayyid ali husaini alsistani, is the highest religious and supreme leader in iraq, including but not limited to clergymen, politicians, media outlets and foreignpolicy views of his followers. Iraqi scholar ayatollah sistani issued a fatwa which every. Iraqs highestranking shia cleric, grand ayatollah ali sistani, has issued a religious summons to the nations shia muslims to help defend the nation against the sunniled islamic state of iraq. The world federation meets with his eminence ayatollah al. Iraqs highest shia cleric adds to pressure on maliki over. The americans are becoming exasperated by iraqs most powerful ayatollah. In a question and answer section of his website, he calls for the killing of homosexuals in the worst, most severe way see sistantis text below. He is the most influential person in iraq, and he also has a large following around the world. He is the most important shiite cleric in iraq, where the population is about 60 percent shiite.
Seven killed in iraq by margaret griffis posted on july 27, 2018 grand ayatollah ali alsistani called on the iraqi government to respond to protesters demands as thousands of iraqis gathered to demonstrate. Iraqs grand ayatollah ali sistani and irans supreme leader ali khamenei are no longer singing from the same hymnsheet, according to informed political sources in baghdad. Sistani became a voice in the wings on iraqs political stage as the countrys armed factions, including the. Us officials have been quick to insist just how different the iraqi shia. As a result, sadr, a mere cleric, towered as the most powerful shiite figure in iraq, eclipsing the more senior sistanis prestigious status as ayatollah. Media caption video posted online purported to show militants at a former us base in tikrit. What role does ayatollah ali sistani play in iraqi. Ayatollah ali sistani, iraqs highestranking shia cleric. Afp getty images, file battle with daesh is destined for all iraqis, said sistani, using an arabic acronym for isis. Standing in irans way is the hawza, the centuriesold institution of religious learning which al sistani heads and which follows its own traditionbound rules.
Grand ayatollah ali alsistani, iraqs most influential man, gets pulled back into politics. The religious head of iraqs shiite population, ayatollah sistani, recently issued an edict calling for the brutal murder of all gay people in iraq. Grand ayatollah sistani joins hagel in calling for. Shia leaders in two countries struggle for control over.
On the fifth anniversary of the fatwa edict that was issued by top shia marjaa grand ayatollah sayyid ali sistani against the isis terrorist group, his remarks addressing the people of iraq was read by his representative sheikh ahmad alsafi during friday prayers sermons in the holy city of karbala. Iraqs top shiite cleric, grand ayatollah ali alsistani, directed prime minister haider alabadi today to take tougher measures against corruption and. How ayotollah sistani can save iraq foreign affairs. Iraqs most senior shia cleric has issued a call to arms after sunniled.
The government in iraq consults regularly with sistani on political, social and moral issues. The shiitedominated iraqi government in baghdad has been reluctant to move too quickly toward creating sunni militias, lest they eventually turn on. The only man who can save iraq is grand ayatollah ali alsistani. Mostly coming from arabic countries such as saudi arabia and iraq, many followers have denied implementing the recent fatwas. Unlike the polarizing sadr, sistani is widely regarded in iraq as a reconciler. Iraqs highest shia authority, ayatollah ali alsistani, has called for the quick formation of a new and effective government in a move that piles more pressure on the countrys embattled leader. One of the most powerful and influential shia marja in iraq short video on the life of grand ayatollah sistani. Grand ayatollah ali alsistani urges global war against isis.
In one of the leaked memos from the us embassy in baghdad, diplomats acknowledge that the 80 yearold grand ayatollah sistani is irans greatest political roadblock in iraq. Sistani, the preeminent shia religious leader in iraq, has clashed with khamenei over a number of iraqi political issues, alaraby has been told. Sistani calls for shiite militias to be part of iraq state security. The shia power brokers of the new iraq the atlantic. Sistani calls for iraqi pm appointment jump to media player iraqs most influential shia cleric has called for a prime minister to be appointed before tuesday to try to defuse the countrys. Sistani, who is living in a rented home in a narrow street in najaf, is more of a bulwark against iranian interests in iraq than the military prowess of the americans. Due to the spread of the coronavirus and its aftermath, the grand ayatollah sistani s office in holy city of qom, by issuing five important recommendations, permitted the half of the blessed imams a. Subscriptions group subscriptions my account give a gift donate download ios app newsletters. Iraqi pm almaliki meeting grand ayatollah ali alsistani. Grand ayatollah sistani is the spiritual leader of shia muslims in iraq, including supporters of the main islamic fundamentalist movement, the supreme council for islamic revolution in iraq sciri, and its armed wing, the badr corps.
A delegation of the world federation of ksimc visited his eminence ayatollah alsayyid ali alhusseini alsistani may allah s grant him a long and healthy life in najafalashraf on friday 26 th october 2018. Grand ayatollah ali alsistanis message, delivered by his representative sheikh abdulmahdi alkarbalai after friday prayers in karbala, emphasizes that iraqs shiite religious leadership does not support any one candidate or party. Ali alsistani is iraqs best hope of curbing iranian influence. Allah blessed the believers with a victory against saudiamerican backed isis da\esh in iraq. Due to the spread of the coronavirus and its aftermath, the grand ayatollah sistanis office in holy city of qom, by issuing five important recommendations, permitted the half of the blessed imams a. However, fears of an iranian religious takeover in a postsistani iraq. Sistani calls on baghdad to answer protest demands. Sistani, apolitical throughout his life, now finds himself pitched against irans shia leader, ayatollah ali khamenei, in a tussle to define iraqs national character. Read cnn s fast facts about the life of grand ayatollah ali alsistani, iraqs most influential shiite cleric.
Iraqi government officials, clerics unite against covid19. Grand ayatollah ali alsistani is iraqs top shiite cleric. Ayatollah al sistani berates security forces for failing to protect protesters killed in clashes with sadrists in najaf. Ayatollah sistani one of the most powerful and influential shia marja in iraq short video on the life of grand ayatollah sistani.
Iraqs ayatollah ali sistani the stubborn sage of najaf. Though born in iran, he has lived and taught in najaf, iraq, the intellectual capital of global shiism, since the age of 21. It is important to remember that the transition from grand ayatollah abulqasim alkhoei to sistani, which started in 1992, took over six years to finalize, but this happened during a. As the election victory of the shias has confirmed, the most influential figure in iraq, dressed in tattered grey robe and black turban, is grand ayatollah ali alsistani. Sistani calls for shiite militias to be part of iraq state. Does ayatollah sistani have the title of supreme guide in. Parallels shiite grand ayatollah ali alsistani usually stays out of the limelight, but emerged.
Last november, they bowed to the countrys top shia cleric, ali sistani, after he insisted that the new constitution be. Today, no one but ayatollah sistani holds the religious and moral authority to restrain sadr and the other shiite factions. But in october and november 2003 the ayatollah became increasingly critical of the us political plans for iraq. The man who pulled iraq from the brink with a single statement 06142015 08. The delegation travelled to iraq to participate in the arbaeen of imam. Grand ayatollah ali alsistani has emerged as a pivotal figure in postsaddam hussein iraq by demanding direct elections prior to the formation of a sovereign government. Ayatollah sistani rarely made political statements and has repeatedly urged his shia followers not to take up arms against the occupation forces. Qasem soleimani of sipaheqods who has been on the front lines of this dangerous battle.
Iraqi men drink tea under a poster of top shiite cleric ayatollah ali al sistani in najaf, iraq, jan. Convoy arriving, iraqi prime minister nouri almaliki flanked by officials entering the house of grand ayatollah ali al sistani 2. Ayotollah sistani has the power to unseat any government and unleash civil war. Top iraq cleric sistani s sermon cancelled over coronavirus, a first since 2003 senior iraqi shia cleric grand ayatollah ali al sistani in the southern iraqi city of najaf on march, 2019. The world federation delegation meeting with his eminence ayatollah alsistani da. Convoy arriving, iraqi prime minister nouri almaliki flanked by officials entering the house of grand ayatollah ali alsistani 2. Ayatollah sistani is one of the top living scholars of shia islam. Ayatollah ali al sistani, has opposed calls to disband a controversial paramilitary force which was instrumental in. The official website of the office of his eminence alsayyid ali alhusseini alsistani. Iraqi men drink tea under a poster of top shiite cleric ayatollah ali alsistani in najaf, iraq, jan. One of the greatest challenges came from muqtada alsadr and his mahdi army. Iraqs shia muslims the ailing ayatollah middle east.
Iraq s religious establishment is supporting and working closely with the government to contain the covid19 pandemics spread, though a minority of clerics are disregarding precautions and spreading disinformation among the public. Ayatollah sistanis advices over coronavirus ijtihad network. Iraqi scholar ayatollah sistani issued a fatwa which every muslim needs to follow. In the name of allah grand ayatollah sayyid ali husaini alsistani, is the highest religious and supreme leader in iraq, including but not limited to clergymen, politicians, media outlets and foreignpolicy views of his followers. Sayej claimed that ayatollah sistani never supported the list. The men and women who flocked to this narrow alleyway were hoping to meet with sistani, the most senior cleric in iraq. Postsistani iraq, iran, and the future of shia islam. London 15 march 2006 grand ayatollah ali alsistani of iraq has issued a death fatwa against lesbian and gay people. By juan cole alzaman the times of baghdad reports that grand ayatollah ali sistan is calling, just as is us secretary of defense chuck hagel, for the arming of sunni tribes in alanbar province to fight isil in iraq.
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