Back to School for Mookie Al Sadr

By Charlie

If this was a sitcom, I’d watch:

BAGHDAD - 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's objectives — described to The Associated Press by close aides — are part of increasingly bitter Shiite-on-Shiite battles for control of Iraq's southern oil fields, the lucrative pilgrim trade to Shiite holy cities and the nation's strategic Persian Gulf outlet.

Al-Sadr has been a huge pain in the neck for the US, basically since the invasion started in 2003. The thing about Al-Sadr is that he really rode the coat-tails of his dad into prominence in Iraq, by going back to seminary to become ayatollah Al-Sadr he is attempting to establish himself as a legitimate authority figure.

As an ayatollah, his views and fatwas, or religious edicts, would resonate with even more authority as the battles heat up for sway over Iraq's Shiite heartland.

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.

So short-term, this takes Sadr out of the picture while he crams for finals. Long term, this may sway Iraq, depending on what Iraq looks like in 2010.

December 14, 2007 05:42 AM The Long War

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Comments

Why would other clerics want to elevate him to ayatollah? Does he carry that much clout with them or do they want the target on his chest?

Old Tanker · December 14, 2007 06:27 AM

Can't we just take him out and eliminate the problem?

Me · December 14, 2007 07:32 AM

I second Me's comments, why is he still breathing in oxygen and sunshine?

Howard · December 14, 2007 11:27 AM

I have to agree with Me and Howard. Mookie is definitely a waste of precious oxygen.

However, I don't know if the Thomas Becket route will work. Maybe we could talk the teachers at the seminary to be extra-critical when they're grading him.... :)

Steffan · December 14, 2007 09:01 PM

I'll be a third vote on that COA... time to let him have it, right between the eyes. Worthless fat pig.

LtCol P · December 15, 2007 11:14 AM

While taking him out now might be satisfying, there is no moral or legal basis for it. If we didn't kill him in combat years ago, there is certainly no moral or legal basis for it now. He personally is not carrying arms against the US and coalition and unless he were doing so with hostile intent, we can't engage him. Those are the ROE, like it or not. Not to mention the presidential directive against assassination. If he upsets the right people, he will be assassinated soon enough in Iraq by Iraqis. The we don't look like the international assassin. There are international norms which we may not like but must attempt to follow.

chriswarnke · December 16, 2007 06:02 AM