Al-Sistani Fails Iraq

One has to wonder if any government that looks for its ultimate guidance from someone with ayatollah before his name has any chance at all of coming together in the face of sectarian conflict.

BAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 23, 2006 (AP)— Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric withheld support Saturday for a U.S.-backed plan to build a coalition across sectarian lines, Shiite lawmakers said, jeopardizing hopes that such a show of political unity could help stem the country's deadly violence.

Once again a small-minded cleric has put power and religious affiliation before the greater hopes of an Iraqi people who seek to live in a free and peaceful state, one not controlled by religious bias. On the streets many Sunni and Shia inter-marry and live out their lives without conflict. But time and time, again, the religious leadership of the various sects steps up and insists on viewing everything from a fundamentally religious perspective.

This is a significant glitch in any plans for going forward in Iraq. Perhaps Al-Sadr has made promises to al-Sistani. But if recent history is any judge, his promises are as empty as is his particular vision for Iraq.

No doubt this will alienate and possibly inflame Kurdish and Sunni factions and Iraq could be one step closer to all out civil war.

The ballsy play would be to take out al-Sistani and al-Sadr, but it's hard to imagine that happening. The reclusive religious zealot with a turban and a beard lacks the vision of a great leader of people beyond his own particular sect.

Religion will prove to be the downfall of the Middle-East if strong secular leadership doesn't emerge.

Comments

[Darth Malice]

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[Kathy]

"How come you only give me little tiny short succinct brittle responses and give Darth big long gooey ones?"

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And who told you life was fair?

[Phoenix]

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Yes, Darth. You surely do deserve goo. :} ~~

[Kathy]

My name is Kathy, not Kate.