Monday, September 10, 2007
Religious clerics become increasingly powerful
Politics
(IPS) - Religious clerics are beginning to play an increasingly powerful role in Iraq. Many Iraqis now fear that they are endangering human rights and religious freedom in the once largely secular country. Clerics began to play a major role since the U.S.-led occupation began in April 2003. Despite the promises of U.S. President George W. Bush to turn Iraq into a secular and free country, clerics have become the real leaders, and are beginning to control most political matters.
"It is the Iraqis' misfortune that the international coalition has brought clerics to power," Dr. Shakir Hamdan, an expert on Islamic issues told IPS in Baghdad. "They will only lead the country into sectarian wars and take the whole country into the dark ages where one man rules and freedom is lost." Hamdam cited a recent meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the powerful Shia Grand Ayatollah, Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, where matters of state were discussed. "One can clearly see that already the powerful influence of clerics is apparent," Hamdan said. "The parliament and government cannot take any step without first consulting the clerics."
Iraq was largely secular under the rule of Saddam Hussein, given Saddam's fear that religious movements and their leaders may undermine his power. The invasion and occupation destroyed the Iraqi state and its institutions, leaving a power vacuum which was filled by religious leaders who offered basic services the state could no longer provide.
"Our country has turned from a secular into a purely religious country," Munthir Sulayman, social reform activist in Baghdad told IPS. "We were dreaming of a huge development in social affairs to become more modern and free, where individuals can play their natural role in developing the country through participation in politics, economy and all aspects of life. What has happened is the opposite, and the country has become completely under control of clerics." S
everal academics and community leaders say they have lost their role in trying to improve the political and social structure. The major Sunni group of clerics, The Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS), denies that imams are trying to upstage the government. "The country needs to be led by those who have experience and knowledge of the ways of reform and construction," Dr. Abdul-Salam al-Kubayssi, assistant secretary general of the AMS told IPS in Baghdad. "Our role is to support any national government that leads the country to safety and prosperity without playing any role of supervision or interference in its functioning. Ruling Iraq is too complicated to be led by a group of imams."
But the U.S. occupation forces and their leadership have depended on clerics since the early days of occupation. The Iraqi Governing Council included clerics like Ayatollah Bahrul-Uloom and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, together with leaders of other Islamic parties like al-Dawa and the Iraqi Islamic Party. The elections in January 2005 were almost completely controlled by religious groups and their political parties. Shia parties, especially The Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, led by Hakim, cited Sistani asking "believers" to vote for the political list that included the Shia coalition. That list continues to play a powerful role in government today.
U.S. forces and their appointed election supervisors did little to stop such sectarianism. "It was the American theory to cooperate with clerics in order to control the situation in Iraq right from the beginning of occupation," Fadhil Yasseen, a lawyer in Baghdad, told IPS. "That was obvious from the gestures that (former Coalition Provisional Authority head) Paul Bremer made to Sistani, and the full support he gave to the Shia coalition to take full control of Iraq." Yasseen added: "Now Iraqis and Americans are paying the cost with their blood and fortunes." Shia imams are now themselves divided. This is evident in their failure to agree on a coherent policy to take Iraq forward. Rival Shia groups are fighting each other to grab power in the Shia dominated areas of Baghdad and southern Iraq.
Labels: Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Dr. Abdul-Salam al-Kubayssi, politics, religious clerics
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
U.S. offers fellowships for threatened scholars from Iraq
(Iraq Scholar Rescue Project) - The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) has received special funding for the Iraq Scholar Rescue Project to provide fellowships to scholars in Iraq whose lives and work are threatened. The Fund is currently seeking applications from suitable candidates and/or candidate referrals.
Academics, established researchers, and professors from Iraq in any field or discipline may qualify. Preference will be given to scholars with a Ph.D. or other highest degree in their field; who have been employed in scholarly activities at a university, college or other institution of higher learning during the last four years (excluding displacement or prohibition); who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise; and whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in Iraq and/or host country or region. Applications from female scholars are encouraged.
Fellowship recipients will be expected to resume their teaching, lecturing, research, writing and publishing at a host academic institution. Fellowship recipients will also be expected to participate in the Fund's efforts to continue the education of Iraqi students, both within and outside of Iraq.
The host institution will be determined based on the qualifications of the fellowship recipient. Candidates are encouraged to contact universities or institutions who may potentially act as host for the fellowship. Placement within the Middle East and North Africa region will be encouraged.
Fellowships will be awarded for visiting academic positions of up to two years. A living stipend and relocation expenses for scholars and their families will be included in the fellowship. To apply for a fellowship or to learn more, please send an email to: SRFIraq@iie.org . Kindly include SRF Iraq Project in the subject line of your message. For universities and colleges interested in potentially hosting an SRF Iraq fellow, please also contact SRFIraq@iie.org.
Contact: IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships: 809 U.N. Plaza, Second Floor, New York, New York 10017, SRFIraq@iie.org Web: www.iie.org/SRF
Labels: academics, Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq, fellowships, Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund, Iraq, Iraq Scholar Rescue Project, U.S.
Friday, July 13, 2007
AMSI reports explosion at tribal lerder's house targeting recruits
Security, Tribal
(Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq) - Massive explosions rip through meeting near al-Fallujah Wednesday afternoon where collaborationist tribal leader was calling for volunteers to serve US occupation. In a dispatch posted at 9:58pm Baghdad time Wednesday night, the Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq (AMSI) reported that a massive explosion blew apart the home of the shaykh of the al-Jamilat tribe in the town of al-Karmah, 14km east of al-Fallujah (which is 60km west of Baghdad) on Wednesday afternoon. The attack came as the Shaykh was calling on his fellow tribesmen to volunteer to join the American run puppet army and police in order to support the occupation against the Iraqi Resistance.
The AMSI reported a source in the puppet police in al-Karmah as saying: “it is believed that four people wearing explosive belts blew themselves up at the diwan meeting of Shaykh Mushhin al-Khalaf, a leader of the al-Jamilat tribe in al-Karmah at 5pm local time Wednesday afternoon, killing 21 people and wounding 46, most of those in extremely grave condition. The wounded were transported to al-Fallujah General Hospital for treatment.
Isma‘il Ahmad Khalaf, a relative of Shaykh Mushhin reported: “two people wearing explosive belts entered the house and the diwan of Shaykh al-Khalaf, a shaykh of the al-Jamilat tribe, and blew themselves up with the explosive belts, killing many.”
A medical source at al-Fallujah General Hospital said that ambulances and police cars transported 21 bodies and 46 wounded people, most of those in critical condition, to the hospital. He expected the number of dead eventually to rise.
The AMSI reported a source in the puppet police in al-Karmah as saying: “it is believed that four people wearing explosive belts blew themselves up at the diwan meeting of Shaykh Mushhin al-Khalaf, a leader of the al-Jamilat tribe in al-Karmah at 5pm local time Wednesday afternoon, killing 21 people and wounding 46, most of those in extremely grave condition. The wounded were transported to al-Fallujah General Hospital for treatment.
Isma‘il Ahmad Khalaf, a relative of Shaykh Mushhin reported: “two people wearing explosive belts entered the house and the diwan of Shaykh al-Khalaf, a shaykh of the al-Jamilat tribe, and blew themselves up with the explosive belts, killing many.”
A medical source at al-Fallujah General Hospital said that ambulances and police cars transported 21 bodies and 46 wounded people, most of those in critical condition, to the hospital. He expected the number of dead eventually to rise.
Labels: al-Jamilat tribe, al-Karmah, Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq, Fallujah, Shaykh Mushhin al-Khalaf, tribal leader
