Iraqi Appeals for Strict Stances to Defend Religious Figures

With the increase of attacks on religious scholars and figures in the holy Iraqi al-Najaf city, and against representatives in many Iraqi cities in the past few weeks, voices raised to call for strict and tough stances to defend the religious scholars and put an end to these attacks.

In this context, The Association to Support the Religious Scholars’ in al-Najaf issued on Tuesday a statement in which it stressed that all religious scholars have always had honorable stances in defending the pillars and interests of the Iraqi people; with all their approaches, sects, religions or tribes.
“We call today all the honorable Iraqis to express their support and positions with [religious] figures while they are being attacked and assaulted by sides that do not seek any good for this country. These sides only think about their interests, privileges and powers without caring for the pillars, values, and effective religious and national symbols,” the statement indicated.

The association added in its statement that the stances and responses that appeared so far, on the popular and official levels regarding the assaults on the religious references and figures, are “very shamefaced and do not stand on the same level as the assaults.”
“Therefore clearer and more powerful stances are in order,” the associated added, further clarifying that massive popular protesters in all the cities and districts of the country is the best choice and method to deliver the voice of defending the religious figures in all the globe.

The Iraqi association believed that defending the religious scholars and leaders on all levels is a national and religious duty that should be followed by everyone.
It is worth mentioning that among the latest assaults against religious figures was a blast in the office of Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir al-Najafi on Monday. Previously last week, a blast targeted the office of Ayatollah Sheikh Ishaq al-Fayyad, who traveled to London, UK to receive treatment.