Sistani proved he has great influence over Iraqi Shiites

By Aws Al-Sharqy, IOL Correspondent

BAGHDAD, August 29 (IslamOnline.net) – The dramatic return from abroad, call on his followers to head for Najaf and the swift ending to a three-week long fierce battle at a moment it seemed heading for disaster, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani proved he was the most influential figure in war-ravaged Iraq, according to analysts and observers.

"By reaching an agreement with firebrand Shiite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr to end fighting in Najaf, Sistani proved he is the most revered figure in Iraq," Dr. Mohannad Al-Obeidi, professor of political sciences at Iraqi universities told IslamOnline.net.

He further stressed that the Najaf bloody standoff was not likely to be solved without Sistani's intervention.

"Without Sistani's intervention, no solution to the crisis was likely to be reached."

Dexter Filkins, a commentator in the New York Times reiterated the same message Saturday, August 28, saying that by striking an agreement with Sadr following his return from abroad, Sistani proved to be the most revered figure in Iraq .

Filkins went even further to conclude that Sadr's popularity in Iraq is so limited and if he was as powerful as Sistani, the US forces would not have dared to launch its massive assaults against his supporters.

"Indeed, the relentless military assault that unfolded here last week could not possibly have been carried out if Mr. Sadr were as large and popular a figure as he sometimes seems to be. In all likelihood, the American operation to expel the Mehdi Army from the shrine could never have gone forward without the sanction of some very powerful Iraqi leaders - including Ayatollah Sistani himself."

The US writer pushed his point to the point of saying that some Iraqis "even blame Sadr for the destruction that befell the holy city of Najaf and the Iraqi people themselves".

"Moqtada al-Sadr is the enemy," the writer quoted an Iraqi, Saleh Allawi Jasem, a 48-year-old Najaf businessman who spent most of August huddled in his home, as saying.

 "I am happy that the Americans pushed him out of my neighborhood."

Influence Stressed

For his part, Abbas Al-Moosawi, an aide to Sistani, said the Grand Ayatollah proved he is the most powerful and revered figure in Iraq.

"By reaching a peaceful way out of the fighting in Najaf, Sistani proved that he is the most powerful figure in Iraq who is obeyed by all Shiite Muslims, and the one able to establish peace," Moosawi told IslamOnline.net.

Sadr aides, however, have a different rationale. Sheik Ali Abdul Latif of the Martyr Sadr Office considered the agreement with Sistani a victory to Sadr and his followers.

"What happened proved victorious for Sadr and his fighters who have been fighting for about a month for realizing freedom in Iraq ."

"We withdrew from Najaf in obedience with orders of the top Shiite authority in Iraq which desires to save Muslims' blood and  end destruction in the city."

Abdul Latif stressed that the Mehdi army will not be dissolved unless a decision is issued to disband all armed militias.

He further said that the agreement between Sadr and Sistani only applies to Najaf and Kufa.

Late Thursday, Sadr signed a five-point plan put forward by Sistani that insisted on the departure of all armed elements from Najaf and its twin city of Kufa .

Sadr ceded control of the Imam Ali shrine to representatives of the religious leadership Friday, August 27.

Allawi Wins, Too

Some Iraqi citizens believe that the government of Iyad Allawi was also a winner in the Najaf battle.

Amal Hussein Al-Samarrae said the Iraqi government's acceptance of Sistani's initiative came to prove that it prefers a peaceful solution to the crisis.

"The government was able to end the crisis if it wanted to crush the Mehdi army but its acceptance of Sistani's intervention was a proof it wants to contain the crisis."

For his part, Iraqi engineer, Ayman Soheil said the Najaf agreement has ended military confrontation with the Sadr's supporters and "has given a momentum to the Iraqi government."

The US occupation forces launched a sweeping offensive Thursday, August 12, in a bid to crush down the uprising of the Mehdi Army.

The bloody US offensive, described by law experts as amounting to genocide, came amid signs of serious cracks among the ranks of the Iraqi government.