Top Iraq Cleric (al-Sistani) Urges Respect for 'Holy Najaf'-Aide

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=716&e=11&u=/nm/20040812/ts_nm/iraq_najaf_sistani_dc


<snip>
"Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is pained and very sad about what is happening in holy Najaf," Murtada al-Kashmiri told Reuters.

"We call for the holy soil and holy sites of this city to be respected," he added, speaking by telephone from London where Sistani is being treated for a heart problem.


<snip>

On Thursday, U.S. marines backed by aircraft and tanks launched a major offensive to crush the Shi'ite rebellion in Najaf. Warplanes pounded militia positions in an ancient cemetery near the Imam Ali Mosque, one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites.

Witnesses said U.S. forces had blocked entry to the shrine

[Aidoneus]

1. that His Emminence Sayyid Sistani(HA) is in improving health is good news

As for the meat of his statement, well.. there's a reason why he's lived long enough to even have ticker troubles, and this is a very clear example of what that reason is. A firm and clear stance on anything might just kill him, apparently.