Al-Sistani's influence declining in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Al-Sistani's influence declining in Iraq
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani once wielded so much influence he seemed to single-handedly chart the post-Saddam Hussein political future in Iraq. Now, the country's top Shiite cleric appears powerless as Iraq edges toward civil war.

With dozens of Iraqis dying daily from Sunni-Shiite reprisal killings, the failures of al-Sistani's pleas for peace underline a major power shift in the Shiite establishment.

"Their political interests now outweigh religious interests," said Mustapha al-Ani, a Dubai-based Iraqi analyst. "To some extent, the need for al-Sistani's endorsement is no longer a prerequisite to gain power. Those with street credibility and a militia now have the power."

It's a major shift from the more than two years following Saddam's ouster, when Shiite leaders hung on al-Sistani's every word concerning politics. His opposition to U.S. plans for elections and a constitution forced the Americans to make dramatic changes. His calls for Shiites to avoid violence were largely adhered to.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061013/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_shiite_cleric

[RedEarth]

1. If he doesn't have influence.....we sure don't

[oblivious]

2. Iraq - the new dictionary definition of anarchy.

[enigma000]

3. Maybe this is a step in the evolution of Iraqi society

With Sistani's influence waining, religion may start to play less of a roll in Iraqi society. Unfortunately, 3 years of attacks of the Shia have caused a backlash against the Sunni.

[LynnTheDem]

4. The opposite.

Al Sistani was moderate, especially in comparison to the armed militias controlling Iraq now.

With al Sistani's influence dwindling, the rightwing religious fanatics in Iraq will get stronger. Ask the women of Iraq about that. They're the ones covered head to foot in burquas, something Iraqi women did NOT wear under Saddam Hussein.

[bhikkhu]

5. Sistani departed the political scene of his own accord

or at least that is the story of a month or three ago - a statement that he would no longer involve himself in politics. One can hardly blame him.