Interview with Son of Grand Ayat Seestani (HA)

By: Samir Haidery

In an interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mostaqbal on 28 May 2003 issue number 1306, the Marja’iyyah’s stance has been clarified by the eminent scholar Sayyid Mohammad Redha, the son of the Grand Marja’ of the Shia world Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Seestani (long may he live). Below is the translation of that interview:

Will Najaf and its Islamic seminary (Hawza) regain the central leadership role when for many years Qum and its Hawza has been the center?

Yes, when the situation changes in Iraq, Najaf will regain its role and former glory.

But Saddam’s regime has finished, isn’t the present situation appropriate?

We are going through a transitional period now. As you are aware that the situation has not stabilized yet. Scholars and their students need stability and security and the means such as accommodation and books to resume their studies.

How would you describe the situation in Najaf and its Hawza now?

Najaf has undergone periods of activity during past years. During the Iraq-Iran war there were no students and visitors but only a few and far between, especially from Islamic countries. Those from outside Iraq went elsewhere, i.e. to other Hawzas not only Qum. As you know there are a number of Hawzas in Mashad and other places. Students have now begun to return gradually because the scope of work is limited.

Before the downfall of Saddam’s regime, a member of the security services came to me and said Al-Jazeera TV wants to make a program about the Hawza in Najaf similar to the program they made on the Hawza in Qum, and we want you to speak on this program. So I said to him: speak about what? It’s past glory or the lamentable present? There is no comparison between the two Hawzas of Najaf and Qum. Here a little book is not allowed, whereas in Qum the best books are published and tens of other books are quality designed and published. Look when you enter Najaf. No doubt you have seen many buildings. They built hotels. They did not build schools.

What are your plans for the future?

No doubt we will expand its role and activities. My father Sayyid Seestani does not have an organization here. But in Qum there are schools, societies and centers under his auspices, in addition to over 300 living quarters for students. We are waiting for a convenient time build compounds and schools.

Will such an activity lead to Najaf regaining the role taken from it by Qum due to obvious circumstances?

There is no competition. Diversity is aimed at enhancement. Najaf regaining its former glory does not deprive anything from Qum. Each has its own place and role. We are in need of Hawzas and students.

When you talk about the redevelopment of Najaf and its Hawza in the framework of diversity this means that the discussion on Wilayatul-Faqih (Jurists Governorship) will be reopened. What is your position in this regard, especially when Ayatullah Seestani is not concerned about it?

We do not see any problems. The Hawza is open and whoever wants to come can do so. There may also be scholars who support Wilayatul-Faqih (Jurists Governorship).

Is there a possibility of practicing this theory in Iraq?

The circumstances in Iraq are different. The Islamists believe that it is not possible to implement an Islamic government in Iraq. I remember Sayyid Abdul Ali al-Sabzawari who died after Ayatullah Al-Khoei. He was one of the prominent Maraji’ supporting Wilayatul-Faqih, he said: when the situation is right it will be implemented”. The situation in Iraq is not the right one.

There is a problem in Najaf called Sayyid Moqtada Al-Sadr?

No problem as such. What he is saying is from theories by his late father the second Sayyid Sadr who had followers and appreciators.

What is the reality behind the fatwa concerning American forces that was purportedly issued by Sayyid Seestani?

Sayyid Seestani has not mentioned anything about American forces since their entry into Iraq. We reject the presence of foreign forces on Iraqi territory. Iraqis have come to me asking what should they do if an American soldier came to them to buy a bottle of Coca-Cola, is it permissible? So we replied according to the opinion of Sayyid Seestani “Sell him what he wants, but when handing him what he bought, tell him nicely: when are you going to leave our land? From this simple question we wanted the soldier to feel that his presence on our land is undesirable.

How do you see the future government of Iraq?

We believe that the opportunity should be given to Iraqis to govern their country without foreign intervention or domination even for one moment. Domination is rejected. Iraqis are good at having dialogue and they are good at agreeing on how to govern. All forms of foreign domination are obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement. This should not be the case and one must work to prevent this.

END