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Answer
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Name
Moustafa
- Egypt
Profession
Student
Question
Dear Sir,
1) What is your impression about the Iraqi people's attitude in Najaf? Which side do they support: Sadr, the Iraqi government or US forces?
2) What about the way Sadr's forces deal with the the Iraqi people?
3) Is it true that some Iraqis are victims of Sadr's attacks?
Thank you
Answer
Hello, Mustapha—
Those are insightful questions.
First, it’s important to note that most Iraqi civilians in Najaf are hiding from the fighting. My impression is that Najaf is split between Sadr supporters and people who do not support Sadr. The Iraqi government and the US do not have a great deal of support in Najaf. People are tired of the fighting that is destroying their city.
I never witnessed Al-Mehdi Army forces attacking Iraqi civilians. They have threatened people in Najaf, but I did not see them act on those threats.
The Al-Mahdi Army is opposed to the consumption of liquor and has attacked people who sell it—in both Baghdad and other major cities. Their justification for this practice is religious in nature.
Name
Masood
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Profession
Engineer
Question
Dear Mr. Robertson,
We live in times where nothing is sacred anymore. When the barbaric forces of the "modern" world can only be placated with complete submission to their whims and fancies.
As a Muslim I am concerned about the state of the people of Najaf and especially about the safety of the Imam Ali Mosque. Has there been any damage to this historic structure? What has been the sentiment of the people of Najaf? Who really are the "supporters of the radical shiite cleric"?
Thanks,
-Masood
Answer
I lived in the Imam Ali Mosque for three days, taking shelter with Muslims from around Iraq. It is a sacred place, one of the most moving places I have ever been. I wanted to say that, as a guest, I received only kindness and hospitality while I was there, and never feared for my safety. It is vital that the war in Najaf end immediately, and that US attacks on the area near the Shrine cease.
The building is not badly damaged. Bullets and mortar fragments hit the structure and land in the marble courtyard. There are nicks and scratches, but nothing major. Of course, continuing attacks place the building and everyone inside it at risk. There has been a great deal of misinformation about the Shrine. There are no weapons in the Shrine. It is a place of refuge, not a military encampment.
Mehdi Army officials are in the Shrine, but they are unarmed, like everyone else inside. I wanted to stress this point. All reporters who have been to the Shrine want to make this clear.
As to who the supporters of the cleric are, that’s another good question. In the press, they have often been portrayed as the poor, uneducated class of Iraq. In fact, this is not the case. Sadr has many poor supporters, like his father, Sayeed Mohammed Sadiq Al-Sadr, had. Many of the Mehdi Army cell leaders have college education. The militia attracts educated men as well as workers. The movement is broad-based and cuts across many layers of society. Most Western papers don’t describe it this way—much to their shame.
Name
a bro
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Profession
Question
Hi there,
I am from a country where they had to fight for 9 long months for our freedom. In that process I have heard people (who participated in the war as well as the one who didn't) losing their properties, getting killed mercilessly, mother and sisters losing their honor...
What about IRAQ? Is it common for the people to get physically and (for females) sexually abused by the soldiers?
I just wonder all the time.
Thanks.
Answer
The Al-Mehdi Army is a disciplined force, and I have not heard any reports of abuse by militia members. As far as the US goes, the worst reports of abuse stem from Abu Ghraib; those are well-documented crimes, but I am not familiar directly with any others.
Name
LOTFI
- Algeria
Profession
Question
We know that the standoff in najef is matter of time, and Sadr's position is getting weaker day after day; what is your point of view regarding the situation in the future days, and what is the political effect on that?
Answer
I have a tough time predicting the future. Saeed Hosam Al-Husseini, a Sadr official, told me that if the US wins militarily, by taking the medina and the Shrine, it will lose politically. If they fail to take the Shrine and dislodge the Mehdi Army, they lose militarily. It’s a powerful analysis. I think the United States has gained nothing through this fight. This is my personal opinion. The war must end.
There has been far too much bloodshed.
Name
Mohamad
- Malaysia
Profession
business
Question
Is the tomb damaged; and are there any US casualties?
Answer
Salaam Aleikum Mohammed,
The tomb of Imam Ali was undamaged as of 4:30 pm Thursday, Baghdad time. It is well protected by the walls of the mosque.
As to the second part of your question, yes, there are US casualties, but I do not know the numbers. The Mehdi Army is suffering a constant stream of casualties from US tanks, aircraft, artillery and snipers. It is a horrible thing to witness.
I don't have access to US casualty figures, because I was on the opposite side of the conflict, not in contact with any US forces. There must be casualties on that side despite the extraordinary firepower they have.
Name
Ghazwan
- Iraq
Profession
Question
Is it true that the Mehdi army uses the mosque proper to lunch mortar attacks on the US forces ?
Are there any members of Al-mehdi Army inside the mosque WITH their weapons?
Answer
During three days in the mosque, I did not see any weapons, heavy or otherwise. All weapons remain outside the mosque. It is a place of refuge. Reports to the contrary come from sources who were not present. The mosque is not used as a place where fighters are launching mortar attacks. I would have been able to see and hear any activity along those lines, and I was free to go where I liked.
Name
Muslim
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Profession
Question
Dear Sir,
You deserve our respect.
I would like to know how dangerous Iraq is for a foreigner albeit Muslim who would attempt to enter the country with the purpose of giving aid and assistance to those they see fit to help. What are the problems they will face.
Thank you.
Answer
Salaam aleikum,
Because I entered Iraq before the government was formed, a visa was not necessary to enter the country—only proper identification. Now, foreigners must apply and receive visas before entering the country. The authorities are concerned about illegal entry and are careful to check documents, but this is normal for most countries. I only advise legal travel to Iraq for your safety.
Name
Emili
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Profession
Question
What is the situation for civilians in Najaf?
What is their stance on all this? How are they living?
How are they going about with their day-to-day lives?
Answer
Hello Emili,
The situation in Najaf for civilians, especially those who remain in the old city, is desperate. No electricity, no good sources of food and warfare raging outside in the streets. Snipers are a great danger, and they are invisible. Most people are hiding, trapped in their houses. I believe that some men have remained behind to protect their houses from looters. This happened in Karbala as well.
Name
LOTFI
- Algeria
Profession
Question
Do you think that the return of Sistani is qoing to make a difference in Najef, since he has declared in London that if he had been aware of the attack on the sacred area he would have never left -- as it is presumed to be an urgent surgery? What does the Mehdi army think of that?
Thank you
Answer
Hello, Lofti. Welcome back.
Sayeed Ali Sistani has a great deal of respect in Najaf, because he is a Marjah and he is committed to peace. The Al-Mehdi Army disagrees with him about the necessity for a Jihad against coalition forces, but Sistani has a powerful voice. It is possible that, by returning, Sayeed Sistani could help with a peace agreement between warring parties. I just can't say with certainty if it will be enough.
Name
Matt
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Profession
Question
You were inside Najaf and inside the Imam Ali Shrine. Has your being there, seeing for yourself what we are watching from afar in the news,changed any ideas you previously had about the place, the situation there, and the ongoing crisis?
Answer
Hi Matt,
Myself and Thorne Anderson lived there for three days. We feel that we saw a much different scene than what was painted in the news reports. This is natural because most Western reporters stayed away, thinking that the Mehdi Army would take them hostage or kill them.
We wanted to present the situation in Najaf and the Shrine in human terms, without reference to propaganda or ideology. In a sense, it was a pilgrimage. We will never forget what happened there. We will never forget the men we spoke to. I pray to God they live though the crisis; and both of us want it to end.
Name
Scott
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Profession
Question
Who do you think is to blame for what is going on in Najaf?
Answer
Hi Scott,
It's a good question. It takes two sides to go to war. I think there was a chance for peace but it was squandered. The US is the stronger power, with unlimited resources; I believe that they have the capacity to work out a deal with the Al-Mehdi Army, but the talks must take place with Sayeed Moqtada Al-Sadr directly. Both sides must participate in direct talks. The fact is that they haven't led to the current crisis. There is always a chance for peace. Always.
The United States is spending a billion dollars a month to fight men who make 300 dollars a year. Fighters kept asking me why America hated the poor. That was their perspective.
When fighters asked me why American hated the poor, I had no answer. There isn't one. Many of the soldiers fighting at this moment would rather be in university, and I mean this for both sides.
Name
Abdullah
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Profession
Question
How do you describe the fight between the Mehdi milita and US forces, the situation there?
What is the role of the Iraqi government?
What do you think of the US raids on Najaf and on such a sacred place?
Answer
Hello Abdullah,
The situation in Najaf is this: There are very fierce battles raging between US and Al-Mehdi forces. These battles have caused a great number of casualties as well as widespread destruction to the edge of the old city of Najaf. The Iraqi government, through statements made by Prime Minister Allawi, has not helped the situation. I feel that the Iraqi government is not terribly relevant in Najaf. I didn’t see Iraqi government forces there, but they could be hidden somewhere. As for the Iraqi police, I was hiding from them most of the time because they have misguidedly banned journalists from the zone that includes Najaf.
As for what I think about the fighting in holy Najaf, I am heartbroken at any destruction to the city. I have many friends there. It is a sacred place.
I think taking the war to the old city, to the Shrine was a terrible mistake, and a travesty. Most Americans, if they could see the mosque, and experience how beautiful it is, would agree.
P.S. -- I would like to respectfully thank IslamOnline for their generous offer to participate in a discussion. Also, I would like to thank Sheikh Ahmed Sheibany and Sayeed Hosam Al-Husseini of the Al-Mehdi Army for their hospitality and kindness during a time of war.
