Iraqis urged to join mass rally on Najaf sanctity protection

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) has urged residents of Najaf to attend a mass demonstration against the presence of militiamen of Moqtada As-Sadr in this holy city which houses the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (p).

Sheikh Sadreddin Al-Qubbanji appealed Iraqis from all walks of life to join “a quarter of a million people to defend their religion and their marjaiya (religious leaders) and to restore security in their town”.

Hawza Ilmiya Najaf, tribal and religious leaders as well as Iraqis besides peace lovers the world over have repeatedly called for Moqtada As-Sadr to leave the holy city in order to save the sanctity of Sha’a’ir Allah.

US-wanted As-Sadr has been holed up for more than a month in the holy city of Najaf.

The newly-appointed police chief of Najaf accused militiamen in this holy city of “terrorizing” residents and asked them to leave, a day after the police headquarters was ransacked.

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