Shiite Cleric Draws 100,000 to Sermon Denouncing US Occupation

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

posted at democrats.com

article at JORDON TIMES


'Firebrand Shiite Muslim Cleric' Draws 100,000 to Sermon Denouncing US Occupation

AFP reports, "Banking on the Americans' failure to deliver on many of their promises to Iraqis, a firebrand Shiite Muslim cleric has managed to rally tens of thousands of Shiites in the largest anti-occupation gathering since the war. Sayyed Moqtada Sadr is offering an alternative way to that of a Shiite religious establishment he deems lax over the US occupation of Iraq... Sadr began raising his tone against US authorities two weeks ago, slamming not only the occupation but also the 25-member US-named Iraqi transitional Governing Council inaugurated on July 13. In the process, Sadr took a swipe at the ambiguous stand of Najaf's religious authorities and, posing as the champion of Sunni as well as Shiite Muslims, announced the creation of a private militia dubbed the 'Mehdi Army,' recruitment for which has already begun in Sadr City. On Saturday, he also called for the establishment of a 'popular' council to govern Iraq in place of the 'illegitimate' Governing Council."

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/July%20/27%20n/Sadr%20starts%20making%20his%20mark%20among%20Shiites.htm


Sadr starts making his mark among Shiites

Jordan Times, Sunday, July 27, 2003

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Banking on the Americans' failure to deliver on many of their promises to Iraqis, a firebrand Shiite Muslim cleric has managed to rally tens of thousands of Shiites in the largest anti-occupation gathering since the war. Sayyed Moqtada Sadr is offering an alternative way to that of a Shiite religious establishment he deems lax over the US occupation of Iraq.

In turn, Shiite political parties and religious leaders see the young Sadr, who drew some 100,000 faithful to his sermon in Kufa near the Shiite holy city of Najaf on Friday, as a "subphenomenon in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq", if not a nuisance.

The cleric's followers, working under the banner of the Sadr Foundation named after his father Mohammad Sadeq, a leading Shiite authority murdered by Saddam's regime in 1999, were initially concentrated in Baghdad.

Following Saddam's overthrow by US-led coalition forces on April 9, they consolidated their influence in the capital's impoverished Shiite suburb of Saddam City, renaming it Sadr City.

more.................

[whoYaCallinAlib]

1. What did you expect the Shiits to do for US troops, throw a tea party?

They hate us. And NOW, they hate us more. Nice work Bush.

[ClintonTyree]

2. No dancing in the streets?

No throwing flowers at our troops? The situation there can only get worse in my opinion. If they think it's all magically going to disappear they're badly mistaken. They've had a taste of that "freedom" Bush keeps talking about, but it's not the type he's been hoping for. It's going to be another Iran, but how will the boy king handle that? Keep killing them until they comply with his wishes? I fear for our servicemen and women.

[htuttle]

3. That's one heck of a focus group

Probably armed, too.

[InkAddict]

4. Sure will make Bob Schuller jealous/

crystalizing hatred - and, how the heck did 100,000 gather publicly without it being a cause of concern? Services held at Lafayette Park of Iraq???? - Ah yes, the wonders of global freedom of religion/assembly/free speech brought to you by B*, Rummy, and Cheney - father, son, and Holy Toast in reverse.

[Resistance Is Futile]

5. Size of the last major Iraqi liberation protest

IIRC the last huge liberation protest in Iraq drew 10,000 people. That's an order of magnitude increase in about a month.

PNAC's dreamboat seems to be suffering from uncontained flooding.

[maggrwaggr]

6. Man! I want to get the bottled-water concession for that!

think about it ..... some serious $$ could be made! Oh, wait there's probably some republican dressed in a sheet doing just that.

Does anybody realize that the Bush family owns a water bottling plant in Nigeria?

Somebody should look into that.