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| Iraq-Jordan | |||
| Sistani heads for treatment in UK | |||
| 2004-08-06 | |||
| Iraq's most influential Shia leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has left Iraq and is on his way to London to be treated for a heart condition. Airport officials in Beirut said the ayatollah arrived on a chartered jet from Iraq before departing for London. The ayatollah lives in the holy city of Najaf and has been receiving treatment from cardiologists. But aides have said they fear the flaring violence in Najaf could hamper his access to proper medical care. "The ayatollah suffered a health crisis related to his heart a few days ago," his spokesman in Beirut Sheik Hamed Khafaf told the Associated Press.
"A team of specialist doctors are treating him and providing care," he said of the ayatollah who is the prime marja, or spiritual reference, for Shias everywhere. He added that although the ayatollah needed special treatment he was not in a deteriorated state. Fighting broke out once more in the ayatollah's home town of Najaf on Thursday. The reclusive al-Sistani, who is in his 70s, is one of only five living grand ayatollahs and the most senior Shia cleric in Iraq. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that Ayatollah Sistani was visiting the UK on a private medical trip for which the UK would make no special security arrangements.
A Foreign Office spokesman said there was no political aspect to the trip but that the FO had helped out with the logistical elements like visas.
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| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 Mercutio - byzantine, but I like it! Might explain Sadr's jumping the gun (or he just tried to take advantage of a temporary power vacuum?) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-06 9:57:11 PM |
| #9 Assuming that Sistani's cardiac problems are genuine, while it would be a major PR coup for Britain to heal this renowned cleric, it would be a complete disaster if he dies under the knife in some British hospital. I'd prefer to think that Sistani is in fine fettle and just getting out of Dodge while |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-06 8:54:12 PM |
| #8 Here's Zayad's take on it from HealingIraq: "One also can't help but wonder about the timing of Sistani's departure from Najaf to London for treatment. The man is known for his subtle messages, could this be a sign for his tacit approval to finish Sadr and his militia once and for all? The remaining Hawza clerics are highly unlikely to issue a collective statement in the absense of Sistani, even more so when they have been threatened and attacked by Sadr's supporters on many occasions. An aide of Sadr mentioned today on Al-Jazeera that Sistani was forced to leave Najaf and that the medical report of his ischemic heart condition was forged." |
| Posted by: Mercutio 2004-08-06 5:35:06 PM |
| #7 Duh-oh! For some reason, I was reading "Sistani" as "Kahmehni." Never mind. Note to myself: make eye doctor appointment . . . . |
| Posted by: Mike 2004-08-06 1:40:20 PM |
| #6 Remember what happened the last time an Iranian tyrant went out of the country for medical treatment? |
| Posted by: Mike 2004-08-06 1:38:53 PM |
| #5 Isn't it interesting how Sadr and his militants jumped back into the fray after Sistani was known to assistance for his heart condition. |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-08-06 11:13:02 AM |
| #4 Hush, Alaska Paul and Steve. Can't you see we're busy here? |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-08-06 10:55:43 AM |
| #3 Why the UK? Must be for the good food and sunny weather:) |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-08-06 10:46:44 AM |
| #2 Why didn't he go to Switzerland? Why the UK? |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-06 9:34:09 AM |
| #1 why didn't he go to any of those well known, accomplished muslim heart specialists in the arab world? oh. never mind. |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2004-08-06 8:58:39 AM |