Ayt. Sistani 'mandated defense against enemies, not our Sunni brothers'

Rasa – Ayatollah al-Sistani said:‌ “When ISIL and its supporters invaded Iraq, we issued a statement mandating defense against enemies and not confrontation with our Sunni brothers.”

News ID: 422469

Date: 04 July 2016 - 13:47

RNA – Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, the highest-ranking Iraqi jurisprudent, during a meeting with a group of academics demanded to "protect the unity of the war-torn country."

He stressed importance of helping refugees from Mosul, Ramadi, Salahuddin and other cities with shelter, money or food without asking on their denomination.

The revered cleric noted that Shi’a, Sunni, Christians and followers of other religions are all Iraqi nationals who have been living with each other for hundreds and thousands of years.

“When ISIL and its supporters invaded Iraq plaguing the country with bloodshed and corruption, I issued a statement mandating defense against enemies and not confrontation with our Sunni brothers,” the Shi’a scholar said.

He added, “Today you are at war to defend your brothers and free them from ISIL then you are contributing your blood for helping your brothers against enemies.”

Ayatollah al-Sistani demanded, “Have you heard even an offensive word accusing our Sunni brothers of bombing or massacre in Shi’a centres?”

The Iraqi Shi’a leader referred to bombing of two sacred shrines before the jurisprudent was asked to issue a fatwah on the incident and the cleric had banned any confrontation with Sunni Muslims even if they collapsed Shi’a cities.

He recommended the people to follow the example of Shi’a Imams’ moderate reaction towards misbehavior by others.

R111/112/E