More Iraqi Reconciliation- Sistani: Shi’a Must Protect Sunnis

We hear a lot about the need for ‘political progress’ in Iraq but what most critics of US efforts in Iraq mean when they say that is really a list of items congressional Democrats insisted the administration come up with. Sometimes societies make progress in ways unplanned by people half a world away.

The Tank at NRO has what looks like a pretty big story about reconciliation in Iraq that has gotten zero play in the media (shocking, I know).

Leading Shiite cleric in Iraq Ali Sistani Tuesday banned the killing of Iraqis, particularly the Sunnis, and urged the Shiites to protect their brother Sunnis.

Sistani bans the Iraqi blood in general the blood of Sunnis in particular. His announcement came during a meeting with a delegation from Sunni clerics from southern and northern Iraq. The clerics are visiting Najaf to participate in the first national conference for Ulemaa of Shiites and Sunnis.

Sistani called on the Shiites to protect their Sunni brothers, according to Sheikh Khaled Al-Mulla, head of the authority of Ulemaa of Southern Iraq, noting that the Fatwa of Sistani would have positive impacts nationwide.

"I am a servant of all Iraqis, there is no difference between a Sunni, a Shitte or a Kurd or a Christian," Al-Mulla quoted Sistani as saying during the meeting.

The link to The Tank has more on the story and the importance of Sistani’s statement.

I am sure that the advocates of surrender will claim that this isn’t political progress since the government didn’t do it. The fact is, one of the most important elements of any national political process is delegitimizing the idea that it’s okay to kill your neighbor for religious or any other reason.

I’m sure the left is busy packing up the goal posts for another trip across the field as we speak.

posted by DrewM. at 12:04 PM

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