Fighting in Najaf is forbidden: Marje

By: Sultan Ahmed

KUWAIT CITY: Marje Ad-Dini Ayatullah As-Sayyed Muhammad Al-Mehri has said fighting in the holy city of Najaf is Haram (unlawful) stressing that he who is killed therein will not be considered a martyr.

Ayatullah Al-Mehri, secretary-general for the Association of Shiite Muslims in Kuwait, urged the need of withdrawal of military forces from the holy city and laying down the weapons in respect for the sacred places, pointing that battle in this place is unlawful and he who is killed will not be considered a martyr or a resister.

In a statement spread Monday, the Ayatullah said Al-Maraje Al-Udham follow up with severe worry the tragic situation in the holy city of Najaf between Al-Mahdi Army and security forces and the Iraqi police. They (militia and forces) are not observing sanctity of Imam Ali [peace be upon him]'s shrine, Al-Hawza Al-Ilmiya, Wadi As-Salam cemetery and Al-Marjaiyah Ad-Diniyah Al-Olya [Highest Religious Authority].

Ayatullah Al-Mehri stressed on “the unlawfulness of fighting at all… and he who is killed, his blood is on him and he is not considered a martyr and nor resister” explaining that the four Maraje in Iraq demanded “all disputing parties to lay down weapons and free the holy city of Najaf from armed appearances in respect of the holiness of the place.”

END