Seeking to become Ayatollah Sadr

[ProSense]

Iraq's maverick cleric hits the books

By HAMZA HENDAWI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writers 30 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - The leader of Iraq's biggest Shiite militia movement has quietly resumed seminary studies toward attaining the title of ayatollah — a goal that could make firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army an even more formidable power broker in Iraq.

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Becoming an ayatollah — one of the highest Shiite clerical positions — would give the 33-year-old al-Sadr an important new voice and aura.

It also would give him fresh clout to challenge his top rival, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, which looks to Iranian-born Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani as its highest religious authority and has its own armed wing, the Badr Brigade, which have been largely absorbed into Iraqi security forces.

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Comparisons are often drawn between al-Sadr's strategy — a mix of militia strength, well-tuned street politics and social outreach — and the hallmarks of Hezbollah, which has been influenced by Lebanon's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, as well Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of Iran's 1979 Islam Revolution.

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[wtmusic]

1. I would bet the word "firebrand" was added after the article

was written. AP has made it his official title. :crazy:

[SoCalDem]

2. I said it 4 years ago.. Moqtada al Sadr will be the new Iraqi leader

he's the perfect fit.. son of a martyred leader..opposer of Saddam..

New dictator-same as the old dictator..

The Iraqi people are not ready for "democracy" ..they have always had leaders who "did for them" (as long as the loyalties were in line).. they WANT the "strong-man" leader telling them what to do, and how to do it.

Once the American folly has wound down, he will end up their leader. he's perfect for the job.. he's young, he's boisterous & brave, and he already has an army..all trained up and ready to go..and well rested, since he gave them R & R for the duration of the "surge"..

He's a tactical guy. He's biding his time and when the time is right, he'll make his move..

[tekisui]

3. His army seems to listen to him, too.