Detroit-Based Shiite Iraqi Imam Bassem Al-Sheraa: The Iraqi People Must Gather Around the Leadership of Ayatollah Al-Sistani

In a Friday sermon, Detroit-based Shiite Iraqi imam Bassem Al-Sheraa from Alzahraa Islamic Center, said that the Iraqi people has gained many achievements in the recent demonstrations, however, in order to reach their goals of change and real reforms they must gather around the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. Al-Sheraa said that Al-Sistani gave a signal during his Friday sermon and thanks to that the prime minister and government resigned. He added that Iraqis in the diaspora feel embarrassed when they see the violence and brutality of protests. The sermon was posted on the the YouTube channel of Alzahraa Islamic Center of Michigan on December 1, 2019

Bassem Al-Sheraa: I address our oppressed Iraqi people and to the free protesters: You have been demonstrating for almost two months, out in the streets, in the cold. You have achieved many important things for Iraq, God bless. However, I would like to point out to you something extremely important. It is important for you to gather around one leader. Yes, the slogans… Iraq is all we care about… Iraq is our symbol…  These slogans are good, but in order to reach your goals of change and real reforms, you must gather around a leader, who will represent you and will realize your demands. There is no leader on the scene who is more honest and trustworthy, and who can garner support for the realization of these demands than this 90-year-old man, the Imam and great Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani.

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You could see how with one signal from him during his Friday sermon, the political landscape of the government changed. Although you had been demonstrating for more than a month, the Prime Minister did not resign. With one signal from Al-Sistani with all the weight he carries, the situation has changed and the government resigned.

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We, your brothers in the diaspora, feel your pain, and try to make your voice heard at international forums. However, we feel embarrassed when we see these manifestations of violence and brutality, which have begun to make their way abroad – manifestations of burning, violence, and killing.

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Therefore, you must stand by the national plan, represented by the supreme religious authority with his clear vision. You all saw his wisdom, and how he saved Iraq in many cases. Today, we need him the most.              

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