A People Awakens: Towards the National Liberation of Iraq (RightTruth Exclusive)

A People Awakens: Towards the National Liberation of Iraq, (Part Two)

By Albrecht Gero Muth

A RIGHT TRUTH EXCLUSIVE. Kufa. IRAQ. 25 May 2007. For days, a hushed word here, a hushed word there, barely audible, yet holding forth the promise of salvation, had been building in the narrow streets of this Holy City. Could it be true? Was he among us? Would we get to see him? Perhaps even hear him?

The anxious anticipation had reached near seismic proportions when, at last, this morning the motorcade got underway from Najaf to Kufa, carrying him home to be among his people: the Shia faithful. To invigorate others, just as to be invigorated himself. By the strength, the oppressed draw from knowing that, together, the people will never be defeated. For, We Shall Overcome!

He, off course, being none other than the Hoyatoleslam Moqtadir al-Sadar, in whose hands rests the future of Iraq, now that Iraq’s secular leadership is crumbling. Time is approaching for Iraq’s Shia religious leadership to step to the fore and pick-up the pieces. When, if not now, is the time to assert the religious in advance of the democratic?

Today, at Kufa, the Hoyatoleslam asserted his leading role at the center of the Movement for the National Liberation of Iraq from Foreign Occupation in advance of National Reconciliation, with the objective of a National Accord on the principles, religious and political, which are to govern the New and Democratic Iraq. An Iraq of Iraqis and for Iraqis. Not unlike the Great Emancipator, Mr. Lincoln of Illinois, the Hoyatoleslam reminded us that Iraqis must “finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Like a “deus ex machina,” the Hoyatoleslam approaches the lectern, the attention of Iraq and the world at-large focused on every word. The chants of the faithful getting louder with each of his steps, until they reach near deafening decibels: “Moqtadir, our Father, We Praise Thee, Father of Iraq. Speak to us,” they keep chanting.

And then, at last, he does. Each cadence delivered with the customary repetitions, reminiscent of the finest of Southern Baptist Ministers, such as the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Kling, Jr., the Father of the American Civil Rights Movement. And, then, by mere extension of the right hand, as if in semi salute to his people, ever so reminiscent of the late Kwame Nkrumah, the Father of Ghanaian Independence, the Hoyatoleslam silences the ever more exuberant crowd of the faithful.

"There is an abundance of cries and complaints calling for democracy in Iraq. Despite these calls, the Iraqi people remain deprived of services like water and electricity and even communications. If the government won't help, we will have another word with it."

Words of Hope.

"I say that our houses and cities are open for them and that for Iraqis to kill Sunnis and Christians is a sin. What the Nawasib are doing to compel the Christians to embrace Islam is despicable."

Words of Tolerance.

"I received complaints from brother Sunnis and some Christians about the aggressions of the Nawasib. I am ready to defend them and will be a shield for them, although the occupier would not accept that."

Words of Conciliation.

"I say to our Sunni brothers in Iraq that we are brothers and the occupier shall not divide us. They are welcome and we are ready to co-operate with them in all fields. This is my hand I stretch out to them."

Words of Unity.

Hope. Tolerance. Conciliation. Unity. The watchwords of the Sadrist Movement. Watchwords, in which the struggle for civil rights and national liberation blend.

Sadrists hold that there are variable operant dynamics in play between restoration of public order, the timely withdrawal of all foreign forces, regular and irregular, the restoration of Iraqi self-governance and the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. The operant dynamic, inherent in advance of these objectives, provides both a condition for, and function of national reconciliation, integral to the Movement for National Liberation of Iraq from Foreign Occupation.

Today, not unlike the Day of National Awakening celebrated at Najaf a month, ago, has yet again demonstrated to Iraq’s political and religious leadership that the Sadrist Movement and its Leader, the Hoyatoleslam Moqtadir al-Sadar, stand uniquely prepared to advance the one, in furtherance of the other. As I wrote in my RIGHT TRUTH EXCLUSIV on 10 April 2007: “The objective of Najaf was to demonstrate relevance, religious, political and military, with the goal of positioning JAM/ Sadrists within the Battle for Baghdad, the War in Iraq, and beyond. This objective has been met, in furtherance of the National Movement for the Liberation of Iraq.”

Building on Najaf, the objective of Kufa was to provide the opening clarion call for the arduous work ahead, to advance national reconciliation in furtherance of national accord and national liberation. We shall, in the critical weeks, ahead, demonstrate both, our capacity and intent, in that regard.

The message to the PM and the Government of the Day has been noted. Al Sadr’s popular support does not derive from those ruling, but those being ruled. Not the oppressor, but the oppressed.

Is it morning in Iraq? Not, yet. But the long night’s journey to the hour of destiny is drawing ever nearer its close. Sadrists are, at this hour, engaged in a make-or-break showdown. In our dealings within the Shia Alliance, cross-sectarian, and in our dealings with interested outside powers. Both, the Draft Oil Law, as is, and an ongoing Parliamentary re-alignment must be seen as crucial in this regard. As success in either and/ or both will demonstrate the new level of Sadrist power.

In further building upon the cross-sectarian momentum gained this day, the Hoyatoleslam will take the lead in efforts to jumpstart the process for national reconciliation towards national accord, in furtherance of national unity and the Baghdad Security Plan.

We regret the continued absence of national accord and the Government’s inability to move the process, forward. There is not even a national reconciliation process, behind which, absent national accord, we could hide. There has been no follow-up to the December meeting of the National Reconciliation Forum. And, most certainly, there has been no follow-on. And nothing is, at this time, in the preparatory phase.

National accord comes at the far-end of an arduous process, which, integral to reconciliation, reconciles those, hitherto operating outside the political process, into the political process. It cannot solely be advanced by those already operating within the political process. That means, direct approach must be made to Shia militias and Sunni insurgents.

Militias and insurgents are being talked about, rather than talked to. That must change. What the Hoyatoleslam is proposing is to renew his call for a Summit of Militia and Insurgent Leaders.

In particular, as evidenced by today’s sermon, the Hoyatoleslam proposes for the summit to call for: (1.) an immediate cessation of the armed struggle; (2.) the recall of eligible officers and soldiers of the Iraqi Army and Security Forces and their placement under competent Iraqi command to advance the phased redeployment of all foreign forces, regular and irregular; (3.) “the vision for the New Iraq,” i.e. the principles, political and religious, which are to govern the New Iraq, including and in particular, the role of the religious in Iraq’s public sphere; (4.) restoration of Iraqi sovereignty and self-governance, integral to the Movement for the National Liberation of Iraq from Foreign Occupation, in advance of the early withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraqi territory, regular and irregular; (5.) Shia EMPOWERMENT on the basis of majority rule, with safeguards for minority rights; (6.) a general and blanket amnesty, available to ALL Iraqi nationals, willing to lay down their arms and to join the political process; (7.) a recall of eligible members of the Iraqi Civil Service.

What a sermon, inspired and inspiring. I am sure, most commentators will attempt to characterize it as “anti-American.” But, does being for national liberation, for troop withdrawal make him anti-American? I should think not. For in that, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Democratic Congress and a majority of Americans. Does believing that the occupation is illegal make him anti-American? I should think not. For in that, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with most of the Arab and Islamic World and Europe.

There is not one sentence in today’s sermon, contrary to what our detractors will claim, which is even remotely threatening to the United States or Coalition forces. To the contrary, the Hoyatoleslam affirms his commitment not to engage the Americans, militarily, but calls on JAM to be an Army of Peace. He is advocating “peaceful demonstrations,” including “sit-ins,” staples of the American Civil Rights Movement.

“Peaceful demonstrations?”

“Sit-ins?”

Unheard of as tools in advance of the free will of a free people in a Middle East ruled by Sunni autocracy. The sort of thing, which gets you killed in Wahabi Saudi Arabia of Hashemite Jordan.

The Hoyatoleslam supports the President’s call for an end to sectarian killings, the disarmament of militias and an equitable distribution of oil-revenue, presupposing that (1.) the unique role of Iraq as the sole Arab State with a duly-constituted Government, constituted on the basis of the free-will exercise of a free people, be respected and appreciated; (2.) the fundamental human rights and civil liberties enshrined in the Iraqi “Bill of Rights,” integral part of the Iraqi Constitution, along with full recognition of majority rule and the role of the religious in Iraq’s public sphere be respected and appreciated; (3.) the constructive parallelism between non-interference by outside powers/ withdrawal of all foreign forces, regular and irregular, restoration of public order/ sovereignty and self-governance be respected and appreciated; (4.) the constructive role, played by the emerging Movement for the National Liberation of Iraq from Foreign Occupation, in advance of sub. para. 3, be respected; (5.) a cessation of hostilities be advanced as both a precondition for and function of the fledgling process for national reconciliation, which must advance agreement on all principles, political and religious, which are to govern the new Iraq; (6.) an amnesty, general and blanket, be offered to all Iraqi nationals, willing to lay down their arms and to join the democratic political process; (7.) the Draft Oil Bill, pending before Parliament, be re-drafted to ensure ownership of Iraq’s oil reserves by the People of Iraq.

We are encouraged to learn that a political arrangement with the Hoyatoleslam is “an option,” the Bush Administration is willing to contemplate. This option should be explored, further. Towards that end, we shall be looking forward to the proposed meeting between U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and the Sadrist Parliamentary leadership. While it is fully appreciated that an arrangement with the Hoyatoleslam is not the preferred option for the United States Government, it must be equally appreciated that it must not be considered the final option,

The solemnity of Memorial Day is upon us. As the Nation readies itself to celebrate the life and to commemorate the sacrifice of he who has given the full measure of his devotion, so that others may live, I cannot, in good conscience, but avail myself of this occasion to extend to America’s fighting sons and daughters felicitations and greetings. May they rest assured that they are in our prayers, always.

The progress being made by United States Armed Forces in the Battle for Baghdad, and beyond, upon which greatly depends progress in the larger War, is well known and may, I hope, be deemed reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to those who remain committed to a timely United States victory. Ever hopeful for a bright future for Americans and Iraqis alike, it needs no further elucidation on this occasion.

Suffice to note that neither side on the great battlefield's divide anticipated the war's magnitude, nor its duration. Nor, I like to think, has either, yet, realized that its cause has been transformed, if not, yet, its conduct. As in other wars, forever recorded on history's golden scroll of honor, both sides pray to God, and each invokes His aid against the other. But, do we expect both prayers to be answered? Can they? I like to think, as the Great Emancipator reminds us, the prayer of neither can be answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh."

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Miona Michael replied with her own poem: "We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies."

Ms. Michael helped establish the fine tradition, which calls for the wearing of red poppies on Memorial Day. A tradition later picked up by Madam Guerin from France who, upon her return from visiting the United States, instituted the custom of selling artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and war widows. A custom, picked up by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the 1920s, which continues in many a country to this date. A custom, which I'd like to think, could be expanded upon within the context of Victory-in-Iraq Day, in advance of the orphans, widows and widowers left behind on both sides.

May that day prove near. For as General George Marshall stated during another war, in another time: "We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, Our Flag will be recognized throughout the World as a symbol of Freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other."

(((Albrecht Gero Muth, aka by his nom de guerre, “Shaikh Ali Al-Muthaba,” is a former Special Adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in Iraq, advising the Hoyatoleslam Moqtadir Al-Sadar. Shaikh Ali is believed to be a key architect of the JAM/ Sadrist Battle Plan.)))

Mr. Muth and I welcome your comments and thoughts on the above. Part I can be found here.

You can vote for this article at Real Clear Politics.

Debbie
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Comments

[Martin]

Great article, Debbie; I definitely voted for this one! I think there is yet hope for Iraq, but part of that is making it too painful for outside actors such as Iran, Syria... and Russia to interfere. But I think you described the situation there the best.

[Debbie]

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the comments and time in reading this article. It does put a new light on things and give some hope to the situation.

[Butch]

Eliminating Sadr Is Our next step.

Have a great weekend Debbie...

[Layla]

Sorry I am late to this hun--still sick but slowly plugging away here.

Great exclusive and good news is so welcome in the face of the dems doom and gloom.

Just a great read all around. Congrats Debbie and thank you for all your hard work!

[Stormwarning]

To the contrary, I don't think al-Sadr is "small potatoes" at all, and I still anticipate him wielding alot of influence on the eventual outcome.

[Stormwarning]

To the contrary, I don't think al-Sadr is "small potatoes" at all, and I still anticipate him weilding alot of influence on the eventual outcome.

[Maggie M. Thornton]

"The shaft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction." Aesop

That's what we did when we allowed Muqutada al-Sadr to escape Sadr City. He was really only small potatos then. He may only be small potatoes, still.

This is a thorny circle, isn't it.

Very interesting, Debbie.

Maggie
Maggie's Notebook

[Al-Ozarka]

Ain't it amazing how much radical islamists and congressional Democrats talk alike?

[Al-Ozarka]

Ain't it amazing how much radical islamists and congressional Democrats talk alike?

[Angel]

words of tolerance...so unfathomable for me to even imagine coming from any country in the Mid east except for Israel..sigh
great work Debbie!

[Ernesto Ribeiro]

Memorial Day is our best moment to think about this serious, hard truth: every American soldier sacrificated was NOT a waste, but a árt to victory. The very meaning for VICTORY in this new kind of war can be not clear yet; but it is REAL. And 2007 is the decisive final act in Iraq, to the next steps in other battlefields. And the MAIN battlefields are the peoples minds and hearts.

Remember: War on Terror is more complicated than many ones could understand. It's not just a game; it's politics, too. Today, let's think about this truth.

[Ernesto Ribeiro]

Wow, THIS is a surprise for me:

"I say for Iraqis to kill Sunnis and Christians is a sin. What the Nawasib are doing to compel the Christians to embrace Islam is despicable."

"I received complaints from brother Sunnis and some Christians about the aggressions of the Nawasib. I am ready to defend them and will be a shield for them."

So, our new friend Moqtadir are setting bases for a safe society - or, at least, a safe retreat?!? He needs stronger allyes, an mainly, strong respect among the different Iraqi citizens. Considering the words "respect" and "citizenship" can be new for them (shiites) Sadr shows he is learning how playing rhe new game: POLITICS.

OK. Claps for him. Those keywords (finally) seems for real! Sadr are increasing their authority for the greater good. Let's see this new hope for a new Iraq, watching the leader make a new move. Fingers crossed.

[Albrecht Gero Muth]

Nuke:--

Thank you for your comment.

1.) Ever class and status conscious, titles rate premium in the ME. Regrettably, on account of lacking formal education Moqtadir Al-Sadar's prospects for advance in Iraq's religious hierarchy is limited. He will not make it Ayatollah and, certainly, he will never reach the exalted level of Grand Ayatollah, which runs within his family. "Hoyatoleslam" is the lowest level of clerical ranking, somewhat equivalent to that of a Parish Priest. Customarily, those holding that rank do not use it. However, as it is, at this time, the sole title available to him, I have suggested to him to use it. Especially as I had to disuse him of the notion of "Eminence," which he was beginning to use, on account of me pointing out that that honorific is restricted solely to Princes of my Church, the one and only Holy Church. I shall readily admit that it underscores a certain vanity on Moqtadir's part. But, then again, it's the ME. For example, I was really hoping for the honorif of a Sharif. Sharif Ali had somewhat of a ring to me. However, as the Grand Ayatollah pointed out to me, personally, the honorific of a Sharif is strictly reserved to direct lineal descendants of theh Prophet. And, all my efforts to bend the ancestoral tree notwithstanding, I could not bridge the chasm. And so I was made a Shaikh.

2.) When looking at the status report of the Battle for Baghdad the issue is how to valuate where in the process we are, as opposed to where we are coming from, in relation to where we need to be, especially in terms of the military track being meant to advance the political track. I have previously expanded on our internal assessment under "BSP at the 90-Day Marker." I believe that progress is being made, as in evidence by the general calm in Sadr City and other areas, where JAM and the United Sttaes Army are permitted to cooperate in advance of the BSP. I remain optimistic that, as we wexpand on the level of military cooperation and expand the level of cooperation to incldue a political track, further progres can be made in a timely fashon, which addresses the political needs of both, the Presdientr and the Hoyatoleslam, for timely success. We have noted, with keen interest, that a "poltical arrangement" with the Hoyatoleslam is now being considered "an option" by the Administration. In advance of the BSP and Victory in Iraq everything must be done to push that opton to the forefront of the Administartion brief. Towards that end, we look forward to a proposed meeting to take place between Ambassador Ryan Crocker and the Sadrist Parliamentary leadership.

Again, many thanks for your comment.

My prayers are with you and all Americans this Memorial Day.

Best regards,

(Signed) ALBRECHT GERO MUTH

[courtneyme109]

Mookie's no Ayatollah. Quoting Fouad Ajami, "The Foreigner's Gift" : "Young Sadr had not risen as a scholar; he hadn't the patience and the skills. He had not pored over religious texts or pondered schools of jurisprudence. He had his name, his passion for revenge, and the young "Sadrists" in the poor Shia slums of Baghdad whose anger and unsettledness merged with and reflected his own" p 99

Further perusal of this book will show that Moqtada used pretension, geographic distance, and guile to con the Ayatollah Haeri into legitimizing his claims-> Haeri later came to be at odds with Moqtada.

Al Sadr has blown it several times now - back in 2003 in Najaf, 2004 in Karbala and 2005 in Sadr City. All he accomplished was to get his minions in one place for the naughty Americans to step in and kill them off by the truck load.

Mookie also failed to get his own Shi ite majority in the gov, despite the nearly 80 mil Iran spent on it.

Either he's an agent of the Great Satan or a bigger failure than his old roomate - Hassan Nasrallah.

[suek]

The Shia position has been that the idea of the people having a voice in the making of their laws is unacceptable to islam. Has Moqtada changed his position on this? or will he insist that, like Iran, all authority must rest in the hands of the imams? (himself being first, of course)

[Mushy]

I'm for anything that gets us out of this mess. We should not have been there in first place, so we need to save as many American and Iraqi lives as possible and let them move on to whatever end befalls them. I'm over it!

[Debbie]

Thanks Nuke, I have forwarded your comments to Mr. Muth and will post his reply when I receive it.

[nuke gingrich]

thanks so much for the ping, Debbie.
Mr. Muth, the tone of your writing exudes an attitude of hope that is truly good to see.
A couple of things that I would ask you to clarify for me. First, you refer to Moqtadir as "the Hoyatoleslam". What is the significance of this reference?
Second, from your paragraph, "The progress being made by United States Armed Forces in the Battle for Baghdad, and beyond, upon which greatly depends progress in the larger War, is well known and may, I hope, be deemed reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to those who remain committed to a timely United States victory. Ever hopeful for a bright future for Americans and Iraqis alike, it needs no further elucidation on this occasion."
It very much needs further elucidation. Perhaps you might find an occasion in the near future to speak to this topic in greater detail?
Best Regards,
Nuke