Iraqi Spiritual Leader Condemns Violence Against Protesters

Protests in Iraq have grown increasingly violent since they began in October 2019 (Wikipedia)

Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, an influential Iraqi Shia cleric, gave a speech on February 6 condemning violence toward Iraqi anti-government protesters. Pro-government militias attacked protesters on February 5, wounding at least ten. The ayatollah called on government security forces to prevent violence, saying, "[they] must protect the protest squares and the peaceful demonstrators and identify attackers and rabble-rousers…. There is no excuse for shirking that duty.”

Since he assumed the role of grand ayatollah in 1992, al-Sistani has been a prominent figure in Iraq. He is the foremost religious leader for Iraqi Shias, who make up roughly half of the country’s population. His speeches often promote political causes, and he encourages clerics to become involved in Iraqi politics. 

Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2004, al-Sistani has been an especially powerful political actor in Iraq. He played a key role in the post-war political reconstruction, and he was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his efforts. In spite of violence against Shia Iraqis in Sunni-dominated areas, al-Sistani has repeatedly advocated for peace and helped in de-escalating numerous conflicts.

More recently, he has managed to steer the country through widespread political unrest. Widespread anti-government protests began in October 2019, mainly in response to corruption, unemployment, and dissatisfaction with government services. After al-Sistani spoke out against the former Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, Mahdi resigned amid growing pressure. 

Now, the populist politician Muqtada al-Sadr has seized the opportunity created by the current unrest. Al-Sadr has frequently branded himself as a populsit and an anti-corruption candidate. Before becoming a politician, he famously led an anti-American militia. 

Al-Sadr initially supported the anti-government protests, calling his supporters to the streets to fight corruption and government mismanagement. In January, however, he withdrew his support before the appointment of Mohammad Allawi as prime minister, causing protests to shrink. 

He later compelled his supporters to again return to the streets, this time to help government forces “reveal the saboteurs and the nationalist pretenders." His followers, called “blue hats” after their signature accessory, stormed a protest camp and wounded at least ten demonstrators.

Al-Sistani’s speech has given hope to many protesters. As al-Sadr’s followers withdraw from their coalition, protesters have seen their numbers and influence dwindle. Al-Sistani’s speech has given many hope that their cause still holds political traction. 

Mohamed Abbas, a 20-year-old student from Baghdad, told Al Jazeera, “We are feeling positive after al-Sistani condemned [the violence] and berated the security forces for not protecting us."

Some younger Iraqis, however, have begun to question the wisdom of al-Sistani. Ali Abboud, an activist in the holy city of Najaf, told Al-Jazeera, "There have been countless Friday sermons on the issue now, but unfortunately nothing has happened, it's like no one is listening…. When there was an edict to fight extremists, it was obeyed. But there's been no clear edict here, nothing that actually binds those in power to act."

Al-Sistani’s speech has calmed Iraq in the wake of inflammatory violence, as he has done repeatedly in the past. But, as protestors have noted, his speech does not solve the underlying problem: Allawi’s nomination as prime minister. This move remains controversial as the nomination is a flashpoint for underlying tension between various political factions. Al-Sistani might have sheltered the country from escalatory violence, but the storm in Iraq is far from over.