The al-Sistani factor in Iraq election

[rodeodance]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/30/opinion/30dowd.html?pagewanted=print&position=


The al-Sistani factor in Iraq election

The grand ayatollah is embraced by Iraq's majority Shia, and the slate he has endorsed is likely to dominate



BY MOHAMAD BAZZI
MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT

January 30, 2005

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq -- The poster hangs on walls, concrete blast barriers, storefronts and cars throughout Iraq: A white-bearded cleric looks down sternly at passersby. Beneath his portrait is an exhortation to vote, with the logo of the leading Shia Muslim slate and the mantra, "To guarantee the Islamic identity of Iraq."

The cleric is not identified, but everyone knows it is Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most revered religious leader in Iraq. Al-Sistani is not a candidate in today's national election, but he is by far its most dominant figure. The slate of mostly Shia candidates he has endorsed is likely to dominate the balloting for a 275-member National Assembly.

But the use of al-Sistani's name and image during the campaign has sparked a debate about the role religion will play in Iraq's next government. It also has heightened fears among Iraq's Sunni minority that a Shia-dominated government would become a theocracy like neighboring Iran.

Al-Sistani's foray into politics has implications far beyond today's election. It could become a decisive event in the history of the world's 170 million Shia Muslims. Al-Sistani represents the dominant theological school in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, which rejects the Iranian model of rule by clergy. The Najaf clerics believe their role is to be spiritual leaders and not to participate directly in politics. But conditions in Iraq have forced al-Sistani into a political role, and that could change the historic debate regarding the position of clerics........

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Your link goes to the wrong newspaper

it goes to a NYT O'Dowd piece.

Here's the Newsday Bazzi piece:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/iraq/ny-woshia-0130,0,196786.story?coll=ny-top-span-headlines

[ClintonTyree]

2. What does it matter?

The neo-cons are not going to remove American Troops no matter who wins, no matter what happens. They want a permanent military presence in the Mid-East. If the White House doesn't like the government "elected" in Iraq, they'll keep overthrowing them until they find one thay like.
In the end, it doesn't matter who wins what where. If it doesn't jibe with the White House's wishes. it won't last long anyway.