Iraqi scholars’ cancel summer trips to Iran and classes due to Iraq situation

Rasa - Due to the recent developments in Iraq, many scholars in Najaf have cancelled their annual pilgrimmage trips to Iran and have cancelled their usual seminary courses.

News ID: 945

Date: 09 July 2014 - 15:36

Rasa News Agency reports – Every year during summer holidays, many seminarians and seminary professors studying in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf travel to Iran’s holy cities of Qom and Mashhad for pilgrimage to the burial places of the Shi’ite holy personalities. This year is different because of the threatening security situation and the crisis in Iraq. Most scholars have refrained from travelling to Iran because of the necessity for them to remain in their homeland and defend it from ISIL terrorists.

Among the great scholars who will not be coming to Iran this year are Ayatollah Hadi Aale Radhi and Ayatollah Muhammad Sind. They preferred to remain in Najaf for religious activities and Islamic propagation. They have usually travelled to Iran during the summer for the past few years.

Ayatollah Aale Radhi has remained in his Najaf office every day and meets with people there because of the tense situation. His Eminence also has been holding special Ramadhan programs and delivering sermons there and has been meeting with seminary students and professors for religious discussions.

Ayatollah Sind has also been holding his dars al-kharij (advanced classes) at his office. He has also been meeting with people in his office on Thursdays and Fridays.

During the first days of the vicious attacks by the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)” terrorist group, the great Iraqi Shi’ite scholars and sources of emulation took responsibility for the leadership of the defence of the holy shrines and the combat mission against the terrorists.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Husayn-Sistani issued a fatwa (religious edict) making jihad a collective duty for all Iraqis, irrespective of sect or religious affiliation. This very significant fatwa has the support of all the sources of emulation and scholars of Najaf as well as most of the seminarians. Many seminarians have joined the ranks of the militias which formed to fight against ISIL. They see it as a jihad against oppressive forces and as the defence of their religion and holy sites.

The issuing of various statements and speeches by the scholars explaining the changes of the last few months have been among the most important activities of the scholars in recent times.

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