• Statements
• 3 Shawwal 1424

English translation + Original Arabic text of the response from the Office of His Eminence Ayatullah Sayyid Seestani in Najaf to a couple of questions from Anthony Shadid of the Washington Post regarding the latest political developments in Iraq.

English translation + Original Arabic text of the response from the Office of His Eminence Ayatullah Sayyid Seestani in Najaf to a couple of questions from Anthony Shadid of the Washington Post regarding the latest political developments in Iraq:


What is Sayyid Seestani’s opinion of the new plan for a political transition in Iraq? Does he bless the process?

In The Name of Allah, The Merciful, The Most Merciful

His Eminence the Sayyid (long may he live) has some reservations regarding the said plan.

Firstly, it is based on preparing the law of the Iraqi state, for the transitional period, through the Governing Council in conjunction with the occupying power - thus not providing it with legitimacy. For this (legitimacy) to be achieved it must be presented to representatives of the Iraqi people for approval.

Secondly, the mechanism in place to choose members of the Transitional Legislative Assembly does not guarantee the establishment of an assembly that truly represents the Iraqi people. Therefore this mechanism must be replaced with one that guarantees the aforesaid, which is “elections”, so the Assembly will emanate from the desire of the Iraqi people and will represent them fairly without its legitimacy being tarnished in any way. Perhaps “elections” can be organized using rationing-cards and other supplements.

Seal of the Office of Sayyid Seestani - Najaf
3 Shawwal 1424
28 November 2003