Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr mobilising for Iraqi elections

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1101690900778B262

Baghdad - Followers of radical Islamic cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are trying to re-energise support for him in the movement's stronghold in Baghdad's Sadr City by reaching out to its 2 million mainly Shi'a residents with relief work, protection and spiritual counseling.

After two bloody revolts against United States forces in 2004, the "Sadrists" are back to what they do best - street politics - and they seem likely to cash in on the new energy and make a bid in the elections now scheduled for January 30.

A truce reached in early October between militia-men loyal to al-Sadr and US troops ended weeks of fighting in Sadr City, the sprawling Baghdad district where the Sadrist movement rose in the chaotic and lawless aftermath of Saddam Hussein's ouster 19 months ago.

But recently the Sadrists have begun turning their attention to the peaceful tasks that won them significant support among poor Shi'as, the majority of the community that makes up about 60
percent of Iraq's estimated 26 million people.

more...Is this the same Muqtada al-Sadr that Chimpy said he was going to bring to justice a few months ago for killing a bunch of American soldiers? I think it is the same guy.

Don

[ConservativeDemocrat]

1. Vote vote vote is better than bang bang bang...

At their most primal, elections are a proxy for open warfare. So I can't help but think that this is a relatively good thing.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate topic--Please continue discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1027717