Associated Press/ Karim Kadim – Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks to the press at Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Al-Sadr paid a visit Friday to a Baghdad church that was the scene of a deadly 2010 attack as well as one of the Iraqi capital’s main Sunni mosques, an apparent overture to other religious groups as opposition mounts against his rival, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
Dec. 4, 2012
BAGHDAD (AP) — Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr visited a Baghdad church that was the scene of a deadly 2010 attack as well as one of the Iraqi capital’s main Sunni mosques on Friday, an apparent overture to other religious groups as opposition mounts against his rival, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Read more…
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Muqtada al-Sadr calls for unity in Iraq, end to divisions
Sadr, who heads a powerful bloc in the Iraqi parliament, also attended the Friday Prayers at a Sunni mosque in Baghdad, where Sunni and Shia Muslims prayed together in a gesture of unity.
“We support the demands of the people, but I urge them to safeguard Iraq’s unity,” he said at Abdul Qadir Gilani Mosque.
Sadr then visited Baghdad’s Our Lady of Salvation Church, telling reporters that Iraqi Muslims have learned big lessons of peace and patience from their Christian brothers.
Meanwhile, anti-government protests took place in several Iraqi cities, including Salahuddin, Diyala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh provinces, while demonstrators in the western Anbar province continued to block off a highway linking Iraq to Syria and Jordan for a 12th successive day.
Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23 when bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi were arrested on terrorism-related charges.
The demonstrators allege that the arrests were made on sectarian grounds and demand an end to anti-terrorism laws, but the government says it is up to the parliament to decide on abolishing those laws.
On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Baghdad would use force to end the protests in Anbar, adding that there are foreign agendas behind the protests.
“I warn you against continuing [to block the highway], because this is against the Iraqi constitution. We have been very patient with you,” Maliki said. -presstv