AP: (Sistani) Shiite Top Cleric Calls for Unity among Muslims

[Eugene]

Shiite Top Cleric Calls for Unity among Muslims

The Associated Press
Published: February 3, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraq's Shiite cleric called Saturday for Muslim unity and called
for an end to sectarian conflict — his first public statement in months on the
worsening security crisis.

In statement issued by his office, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani noted that
differences between Sunnis and Shiites has existed for centuries but should
not be the cause for bloodshed.

"Everyone realizes the desperate need for unity and for renouncing divisions,
avoiding sectarian fanaticism and avoiding arousing sectarian disputes," the
statement said.

The Iranian-born cleric called on all Muslims to work to overcome sectarian
differences and calm the passions, which serve only "those who want to
dominate the Islamic country and control its resources to achieve their aims."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/03/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Al-Sistani.php

[pampango]

1. Good luck with this one, my good man.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Sistani. The Iranian. Who says Iraqi women will be stoned for adultery BUT...

only with small stones.

There is no way whatsoever that anyone could have created a bigger total fuck-up than George W. bUsh has created.

No way at all.

[ohio2007]

3. LOL, well they do respect his opinions but short of issuing a Fatwa

How many will heed his words ? Unless its a fatwa to jihad on sunni
..."his first public statement" .. may be his last.... it may get the opposition to make yet another attempt to end his life in Karbala.

[LynnTheDem]

4. I think he's lost most his power now.

No one's listening to him.

Al Sadr has really dented Sistani's power.

That and most Iraqis are too busy either fleeing their country or fighting to stay alive and don't have time to listen to anyone saying "calm down, everyone" while the rockets and bullets are flying.

[originalpckelly]

5. I don't know. If these people are nutty enough to fight over something...

which happened 1,400 years ago, they may be nutty enough to actually listen.

[ohio2007]

6. Turn the other cheek seems to be the Shia way

They are led like sheep to the slaughter is pretty obvious. It's "the other" Islam that we seem to be alinged with due to our oil addiction I worry more about.

[msongs]

7. there he goes again, bad mouthing the american occuppiers

..."those who want to dominate the Islamic country and control its resources to achieve their aims."

sounds like he knows Bush pretty well.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[ohio2007]

8. but with 1,400 years of searing hate

they are not hearing his subtle message

[ohio2007]

9. Attack on Shiite clerics foiled

<snip>
Al-Sistani 'like the Shia pope'

The possible death of al-Sistani "would really plunge Iraq and the possibly the rest of the region into a bloodbath," said Vali Nasr, author of "The Shia Revival," a recent book on the rise of the sect.

"Ayatollah Sistani is the most revered and the most followed Shia spiritual leader," Nasr said.

"He is like the Shia pope. Shias follow him across the Middle East in religious affairs, and his death at the hands of the insurgents would be of enormous symbolic value."

Iraqi officials said a force of about 400 to 600 insurgents planned to seize control of Najaf and the surrounding province.

<snip>
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6003339

wanna create true turmoil in Iraq? Takes only one well placed bullet.