Ayatollah Najafi condemns al-Azhar’s accusations against Shi’ite militias in Iraq

Rasa – Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi has strongly condemned al-Azhar’s accusations that the Shi’ite militias fighting Takfiri terrorists have committed crimes against innocent Sunni Iraqis.

News ID: 2240

Date: 14 March 2015 - 21:28

RNA – Grand Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi, a Najaf, Iraq-based source of emulation, has issued a strong response to the accusations made by Egypt’s renowned al-Azhar University that the Shi’ite militias fighting Takfiri terrorists in Iraq are murdering people and committing crimes against Iraqi Sunnis.

His Eminence explained that the sources of emulation issued a fatwa (religious edict) in order to rid the Islamic nation of groups which support the enemies of Islam – groups which obviously seek to persecute and harass Iraqi Sunni citizens more than Shi’ites. The enemies seek to completely destroy Iraq by obeying Israel. For this reason, we ask the heroic nation of Iraq to rise up against the current global climate of tension, turmoil and bloodshed in the world.

Ayatollah al-Najafi pointed out that Egypt is the Takfiri terrorists’ second target after Iraq and stressed that the liberation of Salahuddin province and other Sunni areas is a result of the demands of the inhabitants of the province. This is because Iraqi Sunnis have suffered greatly from terrorism and have suffered oppression and destruction. The decision was issued by the government of Iraq and the Shi’ite militia groups had no role in it.

His Eminence stressed that the militia members are not just Shi’ites but also thousands of Sunnis, but even Christians and Izadis have also joined and are present on the battlefield. The world powers have not shown willingness to help Iraq and have not provided Iraq with necessary or adequate weapons to fight DAESH (ISIL).

The renowned source of emulation explained that the Shi’ites are not seeking revenge and if they were, they would have sought revenge for the 4 million youths who were killed after the fall of Saddam’s dictatorship by Takfiri terrorists, but this did not happen in any way. Some Takfiris have abused the dangerous situation in Iraq to wage a sectarian war against Shi’ites by bombing them in the streets and markets, but nobody was heard to condemn these crimes against innocent Shi’ites.

“Despite suffering from abuse and bombings, Shi’ites offered no negative reaction and were well disciplined and offered an example of [true] Islam. So, all of the claims against Shi’ites are lies and groundless excuses from those who seek to destroy the Islamic world,” His Eminence argued.

Ayatollah al-Najafi continued by stating that DAESH’s aims are in harmony with [Western] plots to the overthrow the governments’ of Islamic countries and their project to broaden their crimes against Muslims. They started their project in Syria, and then tried in Lebanon, but their plan failed due to the Islamic Resistance. God-willing, Iraqis will not allow DAESH to realize their plans there. Now, Egypt is in their crosshairs and then they will seek to overthrow Saudi Arabia next. “All sincere Muslims must stand against the enemies of Islam,” he stated.

He urged all Iraqis – Shi’ites, Sunnis and Kurds – to unite and form an inclusive government which promotes national unity. Shi’ites are the majority in Iraq, but they should not seek revenge for all the wrongdoings against them and must resist all pressures and form an inclusive government. God-willing, the Arab world will witness the Shi’ites’ dignity and will be convinced of their rights.

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