Baghdad,
September 8, -- A representative of the revered
Iraqi Shiite cleric, Ayatollah al-Sistani has told
Muslims attending Friday prayers in the southern
city of Nasiriya that the Islamic faith sanctions
federalism, and that it is the correct system of
government for Iraq.
"Federalism is a form of governance that has had a
place in the history of Islam and which it allows,"
said Mohammed Baqir al-Nasiri.
"There have been examples of federations of states,
as existed for example at the time of the Prophet
Mohammed," he claimed, adding that he would like
Iraq to become a federation of provinces, rather
than a federation of tribes - an idea that has been
put forward by several Iraqi politicians.
"I believe a federation of Iraqi tribes would be a
mistake, because this would heighten the conflicts
and deepen divisions between Iraqis," he said.
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Revered Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
Photo: AFP |
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