RNA – In his Friday prayers’ sermon in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, Hujjat al-Islam Abdul-Mahdi Karbala’i, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Sistani, praised the ongoing battles and victories against Takfiri forces in Salahuddin and al-Anbar provinces by the Shi’a and tribal militias as well as Iraqi government forces.
His Eminence sent his greetings to the martyrs, wounded and heroic fighters in the war against DAESH (ISIL) praying that their successes continue in the coming days. He emphasized that the residents of the provinces overrun by DAESH, who are mainly Sunnis, should play a greater role in the liberation of their provinces because they have suffered greater losses than others.
He said that the difficult situation in the country and the war against the terrorists and the sacrifices of Iraq’s armed forces and volunteers require the solidarity and unity of the nation.
Speaking to the believers gathered in the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn, Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i noted that some groups are trying to weaken the morale of the fighters on the frontlines and instil false concerns in them about the validity of their military procedures and plans and exaggerate the capabilities of their enemies.
He warned against demoralizing the soldiers and propagating doubts over their good intentions, adding that the heroes are not expected to be affected by these issues and encouraged them to continue and progress in the liberation of areas occupied by DAESH terrorists.
His Eminence reiterated that all the groups participating in the war against the Takfiri terrorists must unite under the flag of Iraq. All have a responsibility to listen to the guidance of Grand Ayatollah Sistani and know that he does not give consent to the militias to even raise his pictures in the conflict zones, stressing the need to raise the Iraqi flag in every city liberated.
Speaking on behalf of Ayatollah Sistani, Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i stressed on the need for solidarity and concern for the families of martyrs, war veterans and refugees. He added: “Unfortunately, we have heard a lot of news about conflicts and quarrels between Iraqi tribes and that there have been dozens of dead and wounded. This issue is very painful and these conflicts are due to the lack of national and religious responsibility and the belief that the blood of their fellow citizens is worthless.”
Karbala’s Friday prayer leader added that the shedding of the blood of innocent citizens for trivial reasons must be stopped and emphasized that the government must intervene to stop this bloodshed and bring the perpetrators to justice. He called upon the people of reason, as well as religious and social figures in those areas to do everything they can to stop these absurd clashes.
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