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The Ayatullah, the Pontiff and the Politics of Faith Was It a Political Or Religious “Crusade”? What the Event

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The Ayatullah, the Pontiff and the Politics of Faith Was It a Political Or Religious “Crusade”? What the Event Abrar A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Abrar Islamic Foundation 45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Abrar Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 18 (402) 16th-31st March 2021 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 The Ayatullah, the Pontiff and the politics of faith www.abrar.org.uk Was it a political or religious “crusade”? What the event. In their audience at the house of Email: did the Pope see and hear in his four-day trip to Ayatullah Sayed Ali Al Sistani in a small alley- abrarhouse Mesopotamia? What is it in that land that had way in the holy city of Najaf, the Pope and the @hotmail.com attracted the ultimate authority in the Christian Ayatullah exchanged constructive and positive Website world to make the arduous visit at a time when views on the relations between Christianity and www.abraronline.net everyone else would think twice before making Islam within the attempts to reconcile the two Charity no. 293802 the journey? Undoubtedly, the recent experi- sides. The Iraqi Christians had sought such un- ences of Iraqi Christians had been a factor in derstanding in order to enjoy the benefits as planning the papal visit to Baghdad, especially citizens with equal constitutional and religious when the “Christian world” paid little attention rights. to the plight of that small community in Iraq What is next? The hope is that a new ear has We stand for: and Syria which was being mercilessly targeted. started with the meeting between the two men, Political and religion were seen to be at the characterized by mutual recognition, equal citi- • Inter-faith and inter- heart of one of the worst episodes of violence in zenship and rights. It is also hoped that the civilisational dialogue the Middle East. Was it purely accidental? Or meeting would establish a framework for active was it planned? Who had raised the flag of sec- cooperation between the two largest world reli- • Respect for the human tarianism? In whose political dictionary does gions based on reciprocal acceptance, respect race and rights the word sectarianism appear most? And who and peaceful co-existence without compulsion, would adopt “divide and rule” as a political hatred or prejudice. The People has now seen • Cooperation for the means? The Pope’s visit to Iraq was necessary. first hand how Shia Muslim religious authority good of people But what would have been more significant is if views the followers of other regions. It is hoped he had pinpointed to those who had been re- that the Pope would call on the Western powers • Moderation sponsible for the massacres of Christians. Of to have different approaches to the region • Modernity course, it would have been more humane and which needs a riposte from its recent experience objective if the query was made about all those with violence based on religious hatred, preju- • High standards of affected by a decade of unprecedented violence dice and political considerations. Iraq and Syria spirituality that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands received lion share of violence that claimed the of Iraqis, mostly Shia Muslims. lives of hundreds of thousands of Shia Mus- The Pope’s visit to Iraq was necessary in order lims, Christians, Yazidis and Sunni Muslims. to regain the balance not only in Iraq but in the The Pope can take a leading role to impress on region. In this day and age, why should anyone the Western powers to adopt a more humane In this issue be targeted for his/her religious affiliation? This policy towards Iraq and the Shia Muslims, as is exactly what is happening in “Muslim” coun- well as all Muslims not only in Iraq but else- Local Events 2 tries supported by the “Christian” West. The where. Religious affiliation must not be used to Christians, Jews and Muslims belong to mono- justify discrimination, sectarianism or repres- Muslim Affairs 3 lithic religion advocated by Prophet Abraham. sion. That is against the religious spirit. These Abrahamic religions had enjoyed peace- ful co-existence in history, but modern politics Anti-Shia remarks by are playing part either out of its secular nature John Kirby 4 of for political expediency. Regligious leaders such as the Pope and, Ayatullah Sistani in British aid to Yemen cut Najaf, Ayatullah Sayed Ali Khameanei in Iran condemned 5 and Dr Ahmad Al Tayed, in Egypt are well- placed to make a difference. The Pope has al- Edmonton Muslim wom- ready been to Egypt and now Iraq and is thus well-placed to a take a leading role in inter-faith en fearful of attacks 6 work in order to create a new world order with religious content and direction. The Iraqi gov- Fears for your life 8 ernment was enthusiastic about the visit hoping it would grant them a stamp of approval in a region that has been hostile to Iraq as a country, people, religious and political leadership. But the religious establishment was also happy for Page 2 Local Events Martyrdom of der house arrest with one of his confi- the Middle East. He said: The Zionist Imam Musa Al Kahdem dants, Al Fadl ibn Al Rabie. He was era as envisaged by Theodor Herzl has then moved to another prison with enjoyed a century long era and has now The Abrar weekly meeting on Thurs- harsher conditions where he stayed until superceded by a wider Western project. day 4th March was dedicated to the his martyrdom on 25th Rajab of 183 Why do the Americans insist on stay- memory of Imam Moosa Al Khadem AH. In order to confuse the situation an ing in Iraq and the Middle East despite (AS) who was killed by the Abbassid deny involvement in his murder, Al Ra- the rising economic and political costs? ruler, Harun Al Rashid. Three speak- shid brought army commanders as well There is a new form of Christianity ers talked about the life and circum- as members of the Imam’s family to which cares for the third generation. A stances of the Imam who had spent 14 “examine” him. His face was opened new trend in the church envisages dif- years behind bars at Abbassid’s pris- which showed no signs of ill-treatment. ferent mission in the world. US sol- ons. Sheikh Ayyoub Rashid said that A lamentation session was recited by diers in Iraq claim to be “God’s sol- the centre of the Sheikh Ali Abu Zahira from Bahrain. diers” with a mission. They see their state was moved He used one of the mission as cleansing the Middle East to from Damascus to sayings of the Imam: prepare it for the emergence of Christ. Baghdad in order To cleanse your The term Abrahamic project is a new to be nearer to deeds you have to be project in the region with the aim of their supporters in good with your influencing the minds of the youth. Persia. The city brothers. He dealt Atheism is now replaced with this reli- became a centre of with the concept of gious phenomenon. The youth will knowledge during charity which was boast of being “Abrahamic” to show what is generally implemented by the that they are now bigger than the ex- termed the “Golden Age”. Harun Al Imam himself. He tremist thoughts in Christianity or Is- Rashid dispatched his men to the far looked after the poor lam. They want to convert Muslim corners of the state which was expand- even when he was behind bars. Charity youth to this new religion. They aim at ing at fast rate, from China to Soma- has a wider meaning than donating mon- changing the DNA of the native people lia, Tanzania and Kenya. There was a ey. It must be done with good and truth- in the Middle East and replace them big movement of translation from ful intention. God is the one who deter- with others. They will use the notion of Greek to Arabic. As non-Muslims mines its viability and whether it is gen- the Abrahamic religion to justify this were involved in this field foreign uine or for the sake of fame. When genetic and ideological transformation. ideas were introduced. The Shia lead- Imam Reda was collecting the religious In Iraq we have great resources and ers and Imams as well as Christians dues a woman gave him one dirham and wealth but we are not allowed to use it. were persecuted by the state. Some said this is all I have. The Imam be- We cannot even have enough electrici- sources say that the Christians were lieved her. When she died three days ty. Gas, for example was exported by forced to wear special colours for easi- later he prayed himself for her. This Egypt to Israel who cleansed it and re- er identification. The Abbssid state shows that when the donation is genuine exported it back to Egypt. Israel will be was oppressive despite their earlier then it is a great one. The other neces- the distributor of wealth. The Pope is a pledges to reform the state when they sary element for good charity is that it good man inside him but he is imple- were fighting the Umayyads. should be done for the sake of goodness menting grand designs of which he has Hassan Rashid to others. To be good to the others is not little knowledge. He insisted on visit- Naji, a researcher confined to giving them money but to ing Iraq despite the spread of Covid from Iraq talked extend helping hands to them.
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