Najaf tribal leaders call to preserve holiness of the city

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Tribal leaders in the holy city of Najaf, home to the holy mausoleum of Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p), have called for Moqtada As-Sadr to end his stand-off with US troops putting weapons of his Al-Mahdi Army militia down.

It was the first direct call by residents of the holy city of Najaf.

“To all armed people in the holy city of Najaf. After the failure of peaceful efforts and increasing tension in the city, we ask you in the name of Islam to preserve the holiness of the city,” the one-page statement, signed by 25 tribal leaders and delivered in Najaf, said.

It said: “We call you to leave matters to Iraqi officials and legitimate authorities so that the blood of innocent people is not shed… We call you to take your responsibilities in front of God and in front of the society.”

As-Sadr is wanted in the killing of Abdul Majid Al-Khoei, son of grand Marje of Shiite world Grand Ayatullah Al-Khoei, who was stabbed to death shortly after returning to this holy city from exile in April last year.

US troops massed on the outskirts of the city on mission to capture or kill As-Sadr, though commanders have said they have no intention to enter the city in the near future.

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