[lbo-talk] AP: Muqtada al-Sadr threateningly, hurriedly studies for exams

B. docile_body at yahoo.com
Fri Dec 14 11:42:13 PST 2007


Iraq's maverick cleric hits the books

By HAMZA HENDAWI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writers Thu Dec 13, 6:05 PM ET

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.

[...]

Al-Sadr currently has the relatively low title of hojat al-Islam, which leaves his supporters no choice but to seek religious guidance from top establishment clerics — many of whom al-Sadr sees as out of touch with common Iraqis and accuses of acquiescing to Washington's demands.

The aides said al-Sadr was currently on a path to achieve ayatollah rank possibly by 2010 or earlier. His studies were under the supervision of senior clerics in the Shiite holy city of Najaf — where al-Sadr's Mahdi Army fought grinding urban battles with U.S. forces in 2004.

In 2000, al-Sadr enrolled in "outside research" — roughly the equivalent of a doctoral program.

[...]

http://topnews.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_AYATOLLAH_AL_SADR?SITE=KELOTV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT



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