Sunni Clerics Ask Shiites to Halt March

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

An influential Sunni clerical organization urged Shiite Muslims on Monday to cancel a march toward a destroyed shrine in an Iraqi central city, warning that such a move will further enflame sectarian hatred.

The statement by the Association of Muslim Scholars was in response to a call by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for his followers to march July 5 to Samarra's Askariya shrine, which was bombed for a second time June 13.

Such a march by Shiites in predominantly Sunni area could lead to more sectarian violence between the two Muslim sects. Thousands of Sunnis and Shiites have been killed in sectarian killings in the past two years.

"We want you to be aware that this step in this current situation is not suitable and its risks are clear to everyone," the Sunni association said in the statement. "The goals behind this movement are very dangerous. There are some parties who want to make use of your feelings of love for these shrines to have their ambitions of tearing Iraq's unity and provoking a nonstop sectarian dispute among its people."

Read more: http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070625/ap/d8q00gko0.html

[Kagemusha]

1. It'll feel like an Orange Order march...

...Having said that, and having not historically been a big fan of the Shiite religious leadership in Iraq or Iran for that matter, I find it hard not to understand the depth of their feelings on this. The thing is, I just have to wonder if doing a march instead of a pogrom will not end up "instead of" but "preceding".

[Eugene]

2. Al-Sadr Vows to Go Ahead With March

Source: Associated Press

Al-Sadr Vows to Go Ahead With March

Thursday June 28, 2007 11:16 AM

By BASSEM MROUE

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD (AP) - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed
Thursday to go ahead with a planned march to a devastated
shrine in central Iraq but insisted the goal is not to confront
Sunnis who live along the way.

Instead, al-Sadr said the march is aimed at bringing Shiites
and Sunnis closer together and breaking down the barriers
imposed by the Americans and Sunni religious extremists.

The march is set for July 5 to the Askariya shrine in Samarra,
which was bombed for a second time June 13. Sunni
organizations and government officials have urged al-Sadr to
cancel the march, fearing it will escalate sectarian violence
that already has claimed thousands of lives.

Some Sunnis also fear that the march will bring thousands of
Shiites to Samarra in a bid to change the demographics of
the predominantly Sunni city. Al-Sadr insisted that his
marchers will return to their homes as soon as the march is
over.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6742378,00.html