Hawzah News Agency- In his Friday sermon, the senior cleric and prominent instructor at the Najaf Seminary addressed a range of political, economic, and regional developments affecting Iraq and the broader Middle East.
Regarding Iraq's internal political deadlock, Ayatollah al-Musawi noted that the crisis continues to center on constitutional implementation, particularly concerning the election of the president and the formation of a new government. He criticized the lengthy delays following the national elections, attributing the gridlock to political disputes, especially among Kurdish factions, which obstructed the fulfillment of the people's legal entitlements.
While acknowledging the recent agreement that led to the presidential election, he critiqued the process, stating that the selection criteria prioritized partisan interests over meritocracy and integrity. He warned that repeating this closed-door approach for the nomination of the prime minister would constitute a "new political error," urging political blocs to treat the premiership as a national right rather than a partisan privilege.
Turning to economic woes, the senior cleric questioned whether the ongoing crises—including gas shortages and soaring food prices—are genuine or manufactured by corrupt elements seeking illicit financial gain. He warned that the continued exploitation of economic hardship could precipitate social unrest among the nation's underprivileged classes.
On regional affairs, Ayatollah al-Musawi rejected attempts to confine Iraq to a "gray zone" of neutrality, asserting that Iraq is an integral part of the regional landscape and cannot remain indifferent to pivotal issues.
Addressing the recent developments in Lebanon, he criticized certain political stances that initially opposed linking the ceasefire to negotiations between Iran and the United States mediated by Pakistan. He argued that such opposition only prolonged the conflict and led to further civilian casualties.
He declared that the ceasefire agreement is a direct result of the steadfast positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the field resistance of Hezbollah. "It was the Resistance—not merely diplomatic channels—that served as the decisive factor in imposing these terms on the adversary," al-Musawi stated.
The Baghdad Imam concluded by calling on regional nations, particularly Persian Gulf littoral states, to bolster intra-regional cooperation and reduce reliance on foreign powers, ultimately working toward the expulsion of foreign military bases from the region. He stressed that continued political and economic crises pose a serious threat to Iraq's long-term stability and called for the establishment of a government founded on principles of competence and justice.
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