Antichrist Urges Followers To Protest Iraq Government
Iraq’s al-Sadr calls for fresh anti-Maliki protestsTuesday, March 11, 2014
BAGHDAD – Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr has called for a day of mass protests next Monday against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki amid mounting tensions between the two leaders.
On Monday, thousands of al-Sadr’s supporters staged demonstrations across central and southern Iraq.
The protests followed earlier statements by al-Maliki in which he described al-Sadr as “politically ignorant and unaware of the provisions of the Iraqi constitution.”
Al-Maliki’s statements came after al-Sadr accused him of failing to abide by the teachings of Shiite scholars through his “mismanagement” of the cabinet.
“We reaffirm the importance of active participation in a [second] demonstration… which will be another step towards standing up for the oppressed and denouncing injustice and dictatorship,” according to a Tuesday statement issued by al-Sadr’s office.
“Al-Sadr appreciates the voice of the masses, which demonstrated [Monday] against the prime minister’s transgressions against the leader [al-Sadr],” the statement read.
In February, al-Sadr announced plans to withdraw from political life to “preserve the good name of the al-Sadr family… and avoid sedition… inside and outside Iraq.”
His announcement came on the heels of a wave of popular protests against recently passed legislation raising retirement benefits for top civil servants, lawmakers and government officials.
Following his announcement to quit politics, al-Sadr lashed out at al-Maliki and parliament, asserting: “Iraq is reeling under a dishonest government while an out-of-touch parliament cannot defend itself.”
Political tension has mounted ahead of April parliamentary polls in Iraq, which has seen a recent uptick in violence in capital Baghdad and the western provinces.
Copyright © 2014 Anadolu Agency
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