Muqtada al sadr photo books
Muqtada: Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shia Revival, and the Struggle for Iraq
May 29, 2008
The name sake of this book is not introduced until over halfway through the book. Before this, we are treated to the context in which the Shia--primarily the poor Shia--found themselves at the end of Saddam's rule. Particularly relevant is the history of martyrs the Shia revere and the recent history of Shi'ism in Iraq. This book should be read by anyone professing to have current knowledge of Iraq.
Currently, there are three main Shia factions in the Iraqi government:
-The SIIC was formerly the SCIRI, in command of the 'Badr Militia' or the 'Badr Corps'. This group is distrusted by many shia as they did not help in the attempted overthrow of saddam in the first gulf war. They are the most pro-american of the three, and spend Saddam's rule living in Iran.
-Dawa began as the political arm of a movement started by Baqir al-Sadr--Muqtada's step-father--and sponsors the current PM, al-Maliki. The split between SCIRI and Dawa was largely due to disagrements between al-Sadr and Khomenei over who should hold the ultimate power. al-Sadr interpreted the koran to be a proponent of rule-by-the-people, while Khomenei (and then the SCIRI) pushed for a rule-by-the-clerics. Only recently has Dawa put down its' guns--their anti-Iraqi militancy during the Iran-Iraq war labeled them as "terrorists" to the west and caused Saddam's now-infamous retaliation--and become a conservative Shia party now allied with the SIIC.
-the Sadrists movement is the result of a decades-long awakening of the most impoverished Shia promoted by the teachings and martyrdom of Baqir al-Sadr and Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, Muqtada's father. Taking up the reins from his father, Muqtada preaches a natonalist, fundamentalist line. His followers demand a full evacuation of americans, and are willing to work with others who feel the same (their support of the refugees from the Sunni falluja is notable). They teach against suicide bombing, prosecuting notable Sunni factions that actively promote such behaviour. Politically, the faction is generally consistent with the teachings of Muqtada and runs a tammany hall-style job system. Militarily, Muqtada has much less control, but is still able to call cease-fires and definatly able to call others to arms. It is difficult to tell what military might they may have after the recent heavy American bombing of 'Sadr city' (think: a military campaign against a well-organized, highly religious southeast DC). It is quite possible that the heavy Iraqi casualties supported by al-Maliki have caused greater support for the most visible anti-American force in Iraq. If that is the case, it is the third time America has lost in such a way to Muqtada.
This is only the summary of a fraction of what this book holds.
Currently, there are three main Shia factions in the Iraqi government:
-The SIIC was formerly the SCIRI, in command of the 'Badr Militia' or the 'Badr Corps'. This group is distrusted by many shia as they did not help in the attempted overthrow of saddam in the first gulf war. They are the most pro-american of the three, and spend Saddam's rule living in Iran.
-Dawa began as the political arm of a movement started by Baqir al-Sadr--Muqtada's step-father--and sponsors the current PM, al-Maliki. The split between SCIRI and Dawa was largely due to disagrements between al-Sadr and Khomenei over who should hold the ultimate power. al-Sadr interpreted the koran to be a proponent of rule-by-the-people, while Khomenei (and then the SCIRI) pushed for a rule-by-the-clerics. Only recently has Dawa put down its' guns--their anti-Iraqi militancy during the Iran-Iraq war labeled them as "terrorists" to the west and caused Saddam's now-infamous retaliation--and become a conservative Shia party now allied with the SIIC.
-the Sadrists movement is the result of a decades-long awakening of the most impoverished Shia promoted by the teachings and martyrdom of Baqir al-Sadr and Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, Muqtada's father. Taking up the reins from his father, Muqtada preaches a natonalist, fundamentalist line. His followers demand a full evacuation of americans, and are willing to work with others who feel the same (their support of the refugees from the Sunni falluja is notable). They teach against suicide bombing, prosecuting notable Sunni factions that actively promote such behaviour. Politically, the faction is generally consistent with the teachings of Muqtada and runs a tammany hall-style job system. Militarily, Muqtada has much less control, but is still able to call cease-fires and definatly able to call others to arms. It is difficult to tell what military might they may have after the recent heavy American bombing of 'Sadr city' (think: a military campaign against a well-organized, highly religious southeast DC). It is quite possible that the heavy Iraqi casualties supported by al-Maliki have caused greater support for the most visible anti-American force in Iraq. If that is the case, it is the third time America has lost in such a way to Muqtada.
This is only the summary of a fraction of what this book holds.