Article

2009-09-16 Iraq

Al-Sistani Warns Against Politicizing Islam

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Posted by Fred 2009-09-16 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Given that in its present form this religion seems to attract nutcases, it can't be avoided. The clergy will have to refocus the religion somehow. Right now, even a truly peaceful muslim doesn't really seem to be all that likely to interfere with the actions of a fanatic simply because they are muslim.

Posted by gorb 2009-09-16 00:06|| 2009-09-16 00:06|| Front Page Top

#2 It would have been nice if Al-Sistani had warned against the religious parties back in 2004-5. Of course it would also be nice if he hadn't said that chess is forbidden or if he hadn't said that homosexuals should be killed so that it causes pain or if hadn't said that shaking hands with an infidel causes uncleaness, etc.

Posted by lord garth 2009-09-16 00:18|| 2009-09-16 00:18|| Front Page Top

#3 corruption is what drives people to the hard side.

Sistani makes bad calls, but overall, he looks like a true believer in the ability of reform.

He has saved far more lives than he has lost.

Be easy on him.

Posted by newc">newc 2009-09-16 00:49|| 2009-09-16 00:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Al Sistani has my respect.

He's a bit late with these comments. The horse has been out of the barn for a while on this one.

He's one of the few voices of reason in Islam and the US would be well served to ingratiate itself with this guy. I know we put guards on him when the Iranians were trying to assassinate him to create a civil war.

We could do worse having him as a religious leader in Iraq.

Posted by James Carville 2009-09-16 14:23|| 2009-09-16 14:23|| Front Page Top

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