Muqtada's powerful push for prominence
BAGHDAD - "Our god prays for Muhamad and Muhamad's family," the crowd of Shi'ite faithful in Baghdad's Kadhim Mosque began in traditional chorus. But then they continued with a strange innovation, "and speed the appearance of the Mahdi
, and damn his enemies and make victorious his son Muqtada! Muqtada! Muqtada!"
This had never been heard before, but Turkmen Shi'ites were shouting it in demonstrations in front of the Coalition Provisional Authority headquarters, as well as in Kirkuk during a February 27 show of force that included thousands of Muqtada's followers, as well as 2,000 members of his militia. Followers of popular cleric Muqtada Sadr now repeat it in their daily prayers.
For the past year, Muqtada has been changing all the rules while confronting the US occupation and rival clerics he sees as weak. The United States and Muqtada have been engaged in a game of brinkmanship, with US forces occasionally leaking threats that they will arrest him. Muqtada, meanwhile, warns US forces that his people's armed rebellion will soon begin. So far, Muqtada has been winning in this game, gaining experience as a leader as well as admirers of his defiance and followers of his father's office. Muqtada is the only living son of assassinated grand ayatollah Muhamad Sadiq Sadr.
Although mainstream Shi'ite Islam requires Shi'ites to choose a marja, or jurisprudent, and follow his religious verdicts based on his rational interpretation of Islam, it also requires that he be alive. By preserving the office of his slain father, Muqtada has changed yet another rule.
more...
Muqtada's powerful push for prominence
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
