RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a large and fervent crowd of believers and mourners in the Iraqi city of Karbala, Hujjat al-Islam Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbala’i stressed the need to support those on the battlefield fighting against the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group.
The representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani also called on the Iraqi government to provide for the families of these soldiers and their orphaned children and their guardians so they can live with dignity and comfort.
His Eminence added that the victory of Iraq’s armed forces and Popular Mobilization Forces in Basij represents the material and spiritual power of our warriors.
“This battle is linked to the fate and future of Iraq and to preserve the identity, sanctities, civilization, unity of this land and people it is necessary to provide all the necessary provisions available to enable our warriors to achieve an ultimate final victory so this pure land will no longer be a foothold for the ISIL terrorists,” he said.
Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i called for the Iraqi government to allocate more funds in the general budget to secure the needs of the Popular Mobilization Forces and tribal fighters who bear the major burden in various battles but suffer from a lack of government capabilities available to them. He explained that most of their support comes from donations, but these donations do not meet all their needs.
His Eminence added that the Iraqi government must increase its logistical support and experiences from previous battles to meet the urgent needs of the various armed groups that are fighting ISIL. He also called for greater coordination between the various groups of armed forces, Popular Mobilization Forces and tribal fighters in or order to achieve better results on the battleground.
He urged mourners and pilgrims to cooperate with Iraqi authorities to prevent any security breaches during the mourning rituals for Imam Husayn in Karbala, stressing the necessity of observing organization during the mourning rituals and processions and to maintain the principles of the revolution of Imam Husayn by supporting for the security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces.
“On the day of Ashura, various groups of mourners will set out for Karbala to mourn over the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the Ahlul-Bayt and his companions and the mourners must maintain order during these rituals, especially during the Tuwayrij run [from the town of al-Hindiyah, outside of Karbala, to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn],” he said.
Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i also stressed the importance of establishing the noon prayer on the day of Ashura, saying that even during the fierce battle of Karbala, Imam Husayn did not neglect his duties to God Almighty.
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