Iraq police won’t raid mosques unless US present

[ECH1969]

Clerics will need official sanction to lead congregations in Iraq's capital and Iraqi forces will only be allowed to raid mosques in the presence of US troops, a police commander said.

"We reached an agreement that the imams of mosques must be nominated by the Shiite and Sunni Waqfs (religious administrations) because we have discovered that some imams are imposters who should not be in charge," said the Interior Ministry commando chief, Major General Mehdi Musabah.

The general was speaking to journalists after a heated meeting with Baghdad Sunni and Shiite imams and tribal leaders where he said a decision had also been taken not to allow Iraqi security forces to raid mosques without a US presence. US military officials were present at the talks.

"We have taken the decision not to raid any more Sunni or Shiite mosques without the presence of US security," Musabah said. "If there are forces doing this without the US, it means this is unofficial and that they are gangs using the uniforms of Iraqi forces," Musabah added.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=16448

[uppityperson]

1. smart move, they know they shouldn't be doing this

put the responsibility back on the USA.

[MADem]

2. Ah, the old "approved IMAMS" thing!

Just like Iran and the Ayatullahs!

[Igel]

3. Interesting couple of changes.

It'll be really interesting to see how they play out.

Depending on the constitution of the waqf in question, it might cut down on some of the extremism and the near rabble-rousing in the mosques, or it might increase it. It'll esp. be interesting to see what happens to Sadr-controlled mosques.

Same with the US forces' being present for searching mosques. There's no question that they're frequently legitimate targets under any Western-accepted law of warfare. Having the US forces there might (a) keep the Iraqi forces in line (if you think most US soldiers aren't anti-Islamic crusaders) and (b) act as a kind of imprimitur, since they're not likely to be around for adventures in Shi'ite Sadr-masochism or when the Badr boys get into actions.