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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (44491)	8/29/2003 5:48:17 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 50167

Leading Shiite Clergy in Iraq There is major split between Shiites who stayed in Iraq and those who fled to Iran during the Saddam years. In addition, "there is at least a quiet competition between the Shias of Karabla and the Shias of Najaf," Inter-Shiite differences, in which Saddam Hussein had played a part, occasionally boil over for example, a mob in Iraq's holy city of Najaf hacked to death a Shiite cleric who had returned from exile soon after the fall. Prominent cleric Abdel Majid al-Khoei was hacked to death April 10 by a mob at the tomb of Imam Ali in Najaf. Al-Khoei had just returned from exile in London and was calling for reconciliation among Shiites. In Saddam City, handing back authority over the densely populated neighbourhood to a central government may be less than certain. Saddam City leaders take their orders from the al-hawza al-ilmiyah, the Arabic phrase for the top Shiite clerics of Najaf. The man most likely the culprit in this new violence may be Sheik Muqtada al-Sadr, son of al-Sistani's predecessor as grand ayatollah, Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, who was killed by Saddam's regime in 1999 and now revered as martyr. Witnesses said followers of Muqtada al-Sadr were behind al-Khoei's slaying and siege of al-Sistani's house. Al-Sadr had insisted he has no dispute with al-Sistani, according to Arab newspapers. Though only in his 20s, al-Sadr enjoys wide following because of his family name. Residents of Baghdad's main Shiite neighborhood, once named Saddam City, renamed it Sadr City after Muqtada's father. The possibility of inter-Shiite violence between Saddam city- Najf Karbela axes threatens Iraqi cohesion to the core. It could hamper efforts to establish a viable postwar state. Sunni on their part are a viable political dominance that stretches back to the birth of Iraq as a state after World War I. Sunnis have dominated education, the army and the economy, using military force to repress rivals. They are unlikely to surrender influence easily. The killing Friday of Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim has focused new attention on Shiite leaders in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr looks to me doing what 'Al-Pacino did post Don Cleron in God father 2,' if not so and if it is Saddam loyalist plot tomorrow should be a difficult day in the South and mass demonstrations in 2 million strong Saddam city around Baghdad, if Sadr has a hand in it Karbela will only grief, from pattern of grief the tentacles of criminals may be traced. Some other leading clergymen of note who may be now prominent are: Grand Ayatollah Ali Hussein al-Sistani Most senior Shiite cleric in Iraq. Heads Hawza al-Ilmiya, historic center of learning in holy city of Najaf that produces clerics serving across the Shiite world. Despite its influence, Hawza leadership traditionally avoided claiming direct political power. The 72-year-old al-Sistani has rejected "foreign rule" but urged followers not to interfere with U.S. forces. Says he will accept whatever "form of government that the Iraqi people approve of." The grand ayatollah was thrown into the thick of Shiite tensions the day after Saddam Hussein's ouster. Close associate and prominent cleric Abdel Majid al-Khoei was hacked to death April 10 by a mob at the tomb of Imam Ali in Najaf. Al-Khoei had just returned from exile in London and was calling for reconciliation among Shiites. Several days later, a crowd surrounded al-Sistani's Najaf home demanding that he leave Iraq. Al-Sistani has since refused to leave his house. Supporters flocked to Najaf to help protect him. Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim Nephew of ayatollah killed Friday, leading cleric in his own right. Unidentified assailants tried to kill him Aug. 24, placing bomb outside his house in Najaf. Explosion killed three guards, wounded a number of relatives. He had cuts on his neck. Known as opposing Saddam, he was placed under house arrest during dictator's final days. Iraqi newspapers reported last week that al-Hakim had received threats against his life. Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayyad Leading figure in Najaf. Born in Afghanistan but emigrated to Iraq at early age. Studied under one of Iraq's most prominent clerics. Ayatollah Sayyed Hadi al-Mudarrasi Returned to Iraq in July after many years in exile. Born in the holy city of Karbala, central Iraq; studied there until Baath party government began detaining Shiite clerics. Lived in Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and finally Iran. Is 48 years old and has now settled in Karbala.