Iraqi Militant Shi'I Cleric Al-Sadr Calls for Unity Between Sunnis, Shi'Is

May 25, 10:02 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report by Iraqi TV station Al-Iraqiyah TV on 25 May

[Announcer-read report over video]

His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr today led the Friday prayers in Al-Kufah Mosque, where he made his first public appearance since the beginning of this year. Earlier today, sources at Al-Sadr Office said that Al-Sadr might lead the Friday prayers in Al-Kufah Mosque and thus end his disappearance from public life. During his Friday sermon, Sayyid Al-Sadr said that there are nine demands that need to be met in order to improve the situations in Iraq. He first called for setting a timetable for the withdrawal of the multinational forces and preventing any confrontation between Al-Mahdi Army and Iraqi security forces. He also called for rebuilding the shrines of the two Al-Askari imams in Samarra and achieving unity among Iraqis.

[Begin Al-Sadr recording] From time to time, we hear of confrontations between brothers in the army of Imam Al-Mahdi, may God hasten his appearance, and brothers in the Iraqi Army and Police. As far as I know - pay attention to this point; it is important - the occupier is behind this confrontation because it wants to have a pretext to stay in our beloved Iraq. Please, do not be the first [to give it the pretext] to stay here. From this podium, I say that any fighting between the brothers is prohibited - of course; I am here conveying a fatwa - as long as they renounce evil and follow the right course. I advise my dear brothers in Al- Mahdi Army to resort to peaceful means if they are assaulted by weak souls. [End recording]

Sayyid Al-Sadr also called on the Iraqi Government to provide services to citizens and prevent the Ba'thists from returning to power. Sayyid Al-Sadr did not forget to talk about the armed clashes between Fatah and Hamas in his sermon. He called for ending these clashes and called on the Arab and international community to intervene to stop the military operations against Badr-al-Din al- Huthi's group in Yemen.

[Begin Al-Sadr recording] From this podium, I say to the Iraqi Sunnis, whom the occupier separated them from us to weaken the Iraqi people, that strength in unity and weakness in division; strength in unity and weakness in division. They are welcomed at any time. I'm ready to cooperate with them at all levels. I extend my hands to them. I only want God's satisfaction and what serves the interests of the Iraqi people and Iraq, may this lead to its liberation and independence and help it restore its full sovereignty, of which we are still deprived." [End recording] [Video shows Al-Sadr delivering a Friday sermon]

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