Najaf, January 07: The return of anti-US Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr from exile elicited a mixture of euphoria and cautious hope among Iraqis on Thursday, with many looking to him to help stabilize the war-torn country.
Hundreds of Sadr’s followers in the Shiite city of Najaf celebrated his homecoming from Iran, and the possible transformation into a mainstream politician.
Sadr, who led two uprisings against US forces after the 2003 invasion, cemented his movement’s position in Iraq’s new coalition government after playing a kingmaker role in putting Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki back in power for a second term.
His return was possible also because of declining US clout ahead of a full military withdrawal by the end of this year.
Sadr’s support of a Maliki return to power is thought to have been brokered at least in part by Iran. Sadr’s years in exile under Iranian support may have increased Tehran’s influence on him. But diplomats say that ultimately he is an Iraqi nationalist, and an unpredictable and enigmatic leader unlikely to pay much heed to the wishes of external players.
In Baghdad’s sprawling Shiite slum of Sadr City, a Sadr stronghold, many rejoiced.
“We Iraqis are delighted at the return of Sayyed and leader Moqtada Al-Sadr, above all because he is now part of the political process,” said Sadr City resident Salih Al-Daraji.
“The Sayyed does not differentiate between Sunnis and Shiites or Christians; all Iraqis are equals.”
Sadr, who on Thursday met with some leaders of his tribe, chastised his followers for the jubilant welcome he received on Wednesday, saying it could hurt the Sadr movement’s reputation.
His statement suggested that he wanted to put what critics called his rabble-rousing past behind him and anchor himself and his movement in a more mainstream light.
“The lack of discipline of some of you during my performance of religious rituals and public matters bothers me and harms me, so I hope that you will exercise discipline and stop the excessive chants and stampedes,” Sadr said in a statement.
Sadrist officials said he had indicated he intended to remain in Iraq, but the Shiite cleric himself did not make any announcements. His officials say the government had guaranteed his safety and freedom from arrest.
Politicians, both among his allies and former foes, welcomed Sadr, saying his return showed his support for the government.
“The return of the Sayyed Moqtada Al-Sadr to Iraq shows evidence of peace and security in the Iraqi political atmosphere generally,” said Mustafa Al-Hiti, a leader in the Iraqiya bloc, which is heavily supported by minority Sunni Muslims.
The Sadrist movement secured 39 seats in the new parliament and has seven ministries in Maliki’s new government.
Sadr’s Mehdi Army militia was once seen by the United States as the biggest threat to Iraq’s security.
The group, which says it has laid down its arms, was crushed by Iraqi and US forces in 2008 and Sadr has forbidden it to commit violence against other Iraqis.
“I am sure there are people who are trying to taint the reputation of the Mehdi Army and the Sadr movement because we entered the political process,” said Fadhil Issa, 50, a jobless Baghdad resident who traveled to Najaf to see Sadr.
“We, as the Mehdi Army and the Sadr movement, support the security forces, and things of the past will not be repeated.”
While diminished in stature by years of self-imposed exile, Sadr retains a zealous following among the young and poor. He fled Iraq in 2006 or 2007 due to an old arrest warrant, and is believed to have pursued religious studies in Iran.
“God willing, the political process will continue with his return, and reconstruction will begin because of it,” Mohammed Khalef, a Sadr City resident, said.
-Agencies