A group of senior Iraqi religious figures gathered in Qom yesterday to condemn the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. About three hundred Iraqi Muslim clerics who participated in the gathering issued a statement warning that any U.S. domination over Iraq would be considered a war against Islam and Muslims, and that the future of Iraq should be determined by its people. Simultaneously, the statement from the Qom gathering indicated that Iraqi clerics are looking forward to the revival of religious seminaries and schools in the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, which they claim have suffered greatly from the repression of Saddam Hussein's regime. Members of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the main group of Shiite opposition to the Iraqi government, were among the participants in yesterday's gathering in Qom. The Islamic Republic of Iran is hosting this group and its armed wing, the Badr Brigade.
Group of Senior Iraqi Religious Figures Gather in Qom
A gathering of approximately 300 Iraqi clerics in Qom condemned the U.S. invasion of Iraq, asserting that it constitutes a war against Islam. They emphasized that Iraq's future should be determined by its own people and expressed hope for the revival of religious institutions in Karbala and Najaf. This event highlights the ongoing influence of Iranian support for Iraqi Shiite groups.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A gathering of about 300 Iraqi clerics in Qom condemned the U.S. invasion of Iraq, stating it is a war against Islam and asserting that Iraq's future should be determined by its people. They also expressed a desire to revive religious institutions in Iraq's holy cities.
- The gathering included influential Shiite clerics and political figures.
- The statement emphasized Iraqi sovereignty and the revival of religious seminaries.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to significant upheaval and the rise of sectarian tensions, particularly between Sunni and Shiite communities. Iran has since sought to expand its influence among Iraqi Shiites.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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