Moqtada Al-Sadr takes break from politics.
BAGHDAD - Iraq's elusive Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr has decided to drop out of politics for the time being because his disillusionment with the political scene in Iraq has left him sick and anxious, he said in an unusually personal letter to his followers released Friday.
In a written response to a query from a group of followers asking why he hadn't been seen in public for so long, Sadr said
More..he had decided to devote himself to a period of study, reflection and prayer after failing in his core mission to rid Iraq of the U.S. occupation or to turn it into an Islamic society.
He also cited the betrayal of some followers, whom he accused of falling prey to "materialistic" politics.
"So far I did not succeed either to liberate Iraq or make it an Islamic society -- whether because of my own inability or the inability of society, only God knows," Sadr wrote.
"The continued presence of the occupiers, on the one hand, and the disobedience of many on the other, pushed me to isolate myself in protest. I gave society a big proportion of my life. Even my body became weaker, I got more sicknesses."
Speculation has been intensifying as to the whereabouts of the maverick cleric, whose Mahdi Army militia twice fought U.S. troops in 2004 and then was accused of many of the sectarian killings of Sunnis that pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war.
His last public statement came two weeks ago, when he renewed the six-month cease-fire that has been credited with helping bring down the levels of violence in Iraq.
But he has not been seen in public since May. Sadrist officials said in January that he was studying to become an ayatollah in the holy city of Najaf, a position that would give the 30-something leader greater religious authority over the movement he inherited from his slain father. The U.S. military and some Iraqi officials say he is living in the Iranian city of Qom.
This was the first time Sadr has sought to explain his absence, which had given rise to speculation that he was no longer exerting full control over the Mahdi Army.
Sadr's chief spokesman, Sheik Salah al-Obeidi, disputed suggestions that the letter's doleful tone suggested Sadr is contemplating a prolonged absence from politics.
"He remains actively involved in the political field and will return when the time is right," al-Obeidi said, citing the fact that most members of the Mahdi Army have obeyed the cease-fire order as evidence that Sadr commands their loyalty.
The letter came as police raised the death toll in Thursday's double bombing along a busy Baghdad shopping street to 68. It was the bloodiest single attack in Baghdad since the level of violence began to fall last summer, and the U.S. Embassy in a statement blamed Al Qaeda in Iraq.
Less..
Added: Mar 8 2008 In: middle_east
By: Human_Racist 
- Views: 1699 |
- Votes: 1 |
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- Comments: 79
Comments - sort by newest to oldest
ahhh I love it.. this guy is just a ***** and knows he needs to stay quiet and keep his head down because we know exactly where he is and would take him out real quick if he acts up again!
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "Human_Racist" (R)
Also people in Iraq, especially the youth are pissed they have no freedoms. The young are distrusting the clerics and other religious men.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "averagejoe" (R)
what in the world are you trying to say with your psycho babble??
you said "and I made tell you all" damm man if you are from America try learnig the language before you speak.. you make no sense at all!
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "Human_Racist" (R)
nahh I think we had enough beheading's, it's savage and useless, all it does is show the world how backwards radical islam is..
but hey if they do want to make another beheading video are you up for it?? im sure they would love to pop your head right off your shoulders!!
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "Human_Racist" (R)
Are you black? Just a question not racism.. Is this new dialect??
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "dankmofo" (R)
"The continued presence of the occupiers, on the one hand, and the disobedience of many on the other, pushed me to isolate myself in protest."
lol, yea, ok....
we call that "hiding out"..stupid zealot...
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "WayUpNorth" (R)
English please.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "SimpleSiren" (R)
Are you black? Just a question not racism.. Is this new dialect??
I dont know what the **** he's trying to say but i know he's not from Tampa.I live on Dale Mabry and people dont talk like this around here.What the **** are you trying to say Tampa49man?
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "dbigler" (B)
yea,right!! He just misses killing Americans !?!?
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "mackbolin" (R)
Not going to linger but 2 sentences....
BYE BYE Insurgency. Hello free Iraq.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "SimpleSiren" (R)
BYE BYE Insurgency. Hello free Iraq.
free Shiite Iraq with Iranian influence, that is
=)
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "lasrever" Premium
BYE BYE Insurgency. Hello free Iraq.
free Shiite Iraq with Iranian influence, that is
=)
Yea but we knew that was going to happen going in. This is really good news no matter what political side in the US were on. Really good news for troops.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "SimpleSiren" (R)
BYE BYE Insurgency. Hello free Iraq.
free Shiite Iraq with Iranian influence, that is
=)
Yea but we knew that was going to happen going in. This is really good news no matter what political side in the US were on. Really good news for troops.
my friend, do you think the insurgency is going to end within the next decade or two? the troops are still going to have problems.
we need an end goal, to meet that end goal, and then to leave (maybe leave a base or two behind -- but no more patrolling the streets for IEDs and sniper shots). whether or not you agree with Clinton's helping the KLA and Nato bomb the Serbian military it was still a limited conflict that had an end goal.
endless war is not something we should value. and i don't see Iraq turning into a 'western Democracy'. but hey if you do so be it.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "lasrever" Premium
why didnt you take him out when he acted up before? if you know where he is arrest him.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "leoelvis" (R)
BYE BYE Insurgency. Hello free Iraq.
free Shiite Iraq with Iranian influence, that is
=)
Yea but we knew that was going to happen going in. This is really good news no matter what political side in the US were on. Really good news for troops.
The Iraqs are the Bad Guys, the Iranians are the Bad Guys .... Everyone are the bad guys for you USA racists and xenophobics !!! You invaded their country, stole their resources, created chaos, imposed sanctions/embargos, ruined their nations!!! And they are the Bad guys ???? One time ago these nations was free and prosperous ... but with your presence you ruined everything!!! Get out you from Iraq !!!! Moqtada Al Sadr are doing everything to make justice by the point of view that he believes ..... If you never started this stupidts this guys could be turned as a pacifist man............ PS> The Insurgence are not losing. Stop singing victory.
Posted Mar-8-2008 by "Anthrax BR" (R)