Imam Ali (p) shrine suffers harm; Ayat Sistani’s life in danger

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF/ KUWAIT CITY: The golden dome of the most sacred sites - the holy Shrine of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be on him) - was slightly damaged by four gunshots in fighting Friday between US soldiers and Muqtada As-Sadr’s militiamen, and the chief US military spokesman in Iraq said the militiamen were using religious sites “much like human shields.”

Four holes, each about 12 inches by 8 inches, were seen on the landmark structure by an Associated Press reporter. Three were on one side of the dome and one on another.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said As-Sadr militiamen probably were responsible for damage to the shrine. At a Baghdad briefing, Kimmitt pointed to a map of the region and said a US convoy was moving on a road that passes the shrine when it was fired on from the nearby cemetery. Such fire, he said, could have hit the shrine, which was across the road along which the US convoy was moving.

The US commander in the region, Maj. Gen. Martin Dempsey, repeated that his forces were trying to avoid damaging holy places.

Najaf is the burial place of Imam Ali (peace be on him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him & his pure progeny)'s cousin and son-in-law, and caliph of Muslims. It is located about 100 miles south of Baghdad on a high desert plateau. The holy shrine in the city center, with its silver-covered tomb, ceramic ornamented walls and resplendent golden dome and minarets is one of the landmarks of Islamic art.

Najaf is also the seat of spiritual leaders, known as ayaat, and the center for scientific, literary and theological studies for the Islamic world.

In Baghdad, spokesman for Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq Hamid al-Bayati called the fighting in Najaf a “big mistake.”

Meanwhile, Ayatullah Mohammad Baqer al-Mohri, Kuwait-based aide to Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani called on Friday on US forces and the militiamen of As-Sadr to cease fighting, leave the holy city of Najaf, not to violate the sanctities of the holy city or damage its shrines and cemetery.

He said the fighting was spreading fast and he feared for holy sites and for Sistani's life. “The fighting is getting closer to the house of the Grand Ayatullah. We fear that his life will be in danger,” he told Reuters by telephone.

There was also fighting close to other important shrines in the holy city of Karbala, 30 miles away.

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