Opinions | Editorials
Now it is time for Al Sistani to speak
Al Sadr's remarks on disbanding of Al Mahdi army could be a ploy.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:38 April 8, 2008
Moqtada Al Sadr, leader of Iraq's strongest militia that has been fighting government forces for the past two weeks, has said he would disband his militia if Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani ordered it.
His statement came after Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki warned Al Sadr's militia, Al Mahdi Army, to lay down its arms or face a ban from politics.
It is not really clear if this is a genuine offer by Al Sadr, who has some 30 members in the parliament, or just an attempt to deflect the pressure applied by the government.
One cannot really know unless Al Sistani speaks out. And he rarely does. But the issue is critical to Iraq's stability and future. Therefore, it is upon the Grand Ayatollah to come out clearly against the militias, which have become above the law in many parts of the divided country. It is time Al Sistani made clear that no militia enjoys his blessing.
Share this article
More from Editorials
More from Opinions
Popular in Opinions
-
Opinions
Speak Your Mind: Cyberbullying
How can we protect our children from being Cyber bullied?
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Spare a thought for workers
While most people are enjoying the Eid festivities, others are working on holidays
-
Relic returns to relevance
The once-derided Commonwealth is now wielding real influence in the changing landscape of global politics
-
India's familiar stance on climate change
The nation is determined to enforce carbon emission norms on its own terms
