Baghdad Friday Imam warns of enemies’ attempts to divide Iraq and regional countries

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: At the beginning of his Friday prayer sermons, Ayatollah Mousavi referred to the trip of a delegation from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mujtaba Khamenei (may Allah have mercy on him), to Iraq last Tuesday and stated: This delegation was to communicate with the Iraqi people, especially those participating in the funeral ceremony of Imam al-Sham (may Allah have mercy on him).

 

He added: This delegation conveyed greetings and a message of gratitude from Ayatollah Seyyed Mujtaba Khamenei (may Allah have mercy on him) to him, and the courageous positions of the Iraqi people in the funeral ceremonies in Najaf Ashraf and Karbala were appreciated.

 

The Friday Imam of Baghdad stated that religiosity among the Iraqi people, especially the Shiites, has deep roots, and said: The central and southern regions of Iraq have been the origin of many movements and revolutions throughout history, and the people of these regions have always opposed oppression and responded to the call of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).

 

Referring to the presence of the shrines of several Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) in Iraq, including Imam Ali (AS), Imam Hussein (AS), Imam Kazim (AS), Imam Jawad (AS), and the Imams of the Askari (AS), Ayatollah Mousavi stated: The love of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) in the conscience of the Iraqi people is rooted in the name and origin of Ali (AS).

 

The Friday Imam of Baghdad clarified: The presence of millions of people in the funeral ceremony was due to their love and devotion to the scholars, the religious authorities, and the Shiite school of thought, and it cannot be considered the result of an official order or organization.

 

Referring to the Iraqi people's adherence to the authority, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the guardianship of the jurist, and the path of martyrdom until the advent of the Imam of the Age (a.s.), Ayatollah Mousavi said: The Iraqi people have proven their awareness, faith, and loyalty to these principles throughout history.

 

He also recalled the atmosphere prevailing during the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and stated: The Iraqi people followed the news of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on the radio, and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, they came to the streets in Baghdad, Najaf, and various regions of Iraq and rejoiced. These issues caused the Baathist regime to intensify its pressure and repression against Shiism.

 

The Friday prayer imam of Baghdad spoke with the nation about the borders drawn by colonialism that cannot cause Islamic divisions, and referred to the positions of martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr in support of the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and said: Martyr Sadr did not recognize the Sykes-Picot borders and believed that the Islamic world is a single nation.

 

Ayatollah Mousavi warned against attempts to divide Iraq and reproduce the borders and the Sykes-Picot plan, adding: “The identity and position of the authority cannot be limited in determining identity and nationality.” He also praised the role of the Supreme Authority, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani, in preserving Iraq and the owner of this country and other Islamic information.

 

Referring to the continuation of the war and the aggression of the Zionist regime in Gaza, Ayatollah Mousavi stated that the enemies insist on spreading the war to other countries and this challenge may also come close to Iraq; therefore, everyone must be prepared to confront it. He concluded by pointing out that today there is no talk of normalizing relations with the Zionist regime, because a new phase has begun by the United States and this regime, the goal of which is “to divide Arab countries and annex them to the occupying regime in order to establish a Greater Israel.”