Sadr to announce Mahdi Army’s transformation into, er, “civic organization”
posted at 9:09 pm on August 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
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We first heard about this two months ago, remember? So soiled is the Sadr brand by gangsterism that the only way to repair it now is to publicly order all Mahdi Army fighters — except an elite few whom he can control — to lay down their arms. Anyone who refuses and continues to terrorize Iraqis is, ipso facto, disloyal and operating without Sadr’s sanction. But what’s a jihadi to do when he can’t wage jihad?
Simple. Wage inner jihad.
In an introductory brochure obtained by the Journal and confirmed by Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi, Mr. Sadr’s chief spokesman, the Mahdi Army will now be guided by Shiites spirituality as opposed to anti-American militancy. It will even get a new philosophy or guiding principle: al-Mumahidoon, meaning his supporters will be the foot soldiers of the Shiites messiah, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, who Shiites Muslims believe will return to rid the world of evil and injustice.
The brochure states the al-Mumahidoon will undertake an intellectual and scientific jihad that focuses on education, religion and social justice. It also says “It (the army) is not allowed to use arms at all.” The al-Mumahidoon office will be divided into sections for the teachings of the faithful, religion, education and social services, as well as departments for information, administration and a follow-up section. Posters have been put up in some areas of Baghdad saying a new direction for the Mahdi Army will be announced at this Friday’s prayers. The posters also bear the name al-Mumahidoon.
Sadr officials say the transition is partly in reaction to a time horizon for withdrawal of U.S. combat troops that is expected to be part of the long-term security deal between the U.S. and Iraq, which is close to being hammered out after a few months of sometimes contentious negotiations. The Mahdi Army had long stated that its principal goal was withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and since talks of a time-table have emerged, the movement has tried to find itself a second life by transforming itself into a social, cultural and religious organization focused on helping Iraqi society through peaceful means, according to Mr. Obeidi.
The timetable spin is, of course, their way of saving face by declaring “victory” even as the deterioration in their support spreads all the way to ground zero of the Sadr family’s power base. Keep your chin(s) up, Mookie. Exit question: Turning point or subterfuge? Read down into the Journal piece and you’ll find a hair-raising detail about 5,000 Sadrists possibly training in Iran, a report corroborated in part by the Middle East Times story Ed wrote about in late June. Remember, too, that Sadr’s allegedly training to be an ayatollah, which dovetails with the group’s new direction. Sounds like they’re playing nice for now and rebuilding their popular/religious legitimacy while they build a Hezbollah off-premises, presumably for a surge of their own when conditions allow.
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Let me guess… the Iraqi version of the ACLU? He’ll do more damage that way.
Claypigeon on August 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
It ain`t over `til it`s over…………And it`ll never be over.
ThePrez on August 4, 2008 at 9:14 PM
I STILL wish a sniper would have put a hole through his turban!
Star20 on August 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
OT, but AP needs to sketch out a treatment of the Iraq war and publish a book. He’s got more of it in his head than most of the brain-dead schmucks in the MSM, and he’s more likely to give it an honest yet piquant treatment than anyone I can think of.
spmat on August 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Community organizer how nice.
jharada on August 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
When Sistani kicks it, “Mookie” will slide in as religious (and de facto) leader of Iraq.
Mission Accomplished!
alphie on August 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Star 20…..you are bad…..very bad….heh…heh
robo on August 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Didn’t Obama float a similiar plan?
canopfor on August 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
The dog has been neutered.
Hey, Mookie! I hear you’ve been waiting for someone “to rid the world of evil and injustice.” He is sitting in the Oval Office right now. Go take a look!
Kafir on August 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
………….. more like the Iraqi version of La Raza.
Seven Percent Solution on August 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
There is a word for this. It is called: Victory
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Alphie……….. read this very carefully.
USA! USA! USA! God Bless America!
…………. I am sure it is having the effect as sunlight does on a vampire.
Seven Percent Solution on August 4, 2008 at 9:28 PM
New Civic League, huh? How about “The Headless Horsemen.”
Travis1 on August 4, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Sistani’s called for the Mahdi Army to disband, says the law is the only authority, and supports Maliki in attempting to ditch it from the country. He’s been isolating Sadr in the past few months.
amerpundit on August 4, 2008 at 9:34 PM
I see he is still wearing his laundry on his head.
Dr Evil on August 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I’m thinking more like ‘Code Pink’…only a less Anti-American version…
AUINSC on August 4, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Two different schools which will probably clash when Sadr becomes an Ayatollah (which is a few years off)
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Admitting defeat without ‘losing face’.
Tony737 on August 4, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Sounds like he is going to follow the Hamas model.
MB4 on August 4, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Pshaw! (sp?)
Hamas and Hezbullah both were in countries with a non-functioning governments. Maliki’s government is taking over the land. BIG difference. And the joy is in the difference!
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I believe that tomorrow Sadr will announce a that beheading is transforming into a Weight Loss program.
Chimp 6 on August 4, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Jihad is never over, correct.
So, Coalition, arrest Mookie and throw him in the clinker, like you should have done three years ago.
PattyJ on August 4, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Variety of Factors Contribute to Progress in Iraq, General Says
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Think of Sadr as a thug with a bunch of gangs. You get rid of them the way you get rid of the Mafia in Chicago. You go after them. That is what we did. “Jihad” was just a pretense for them to oppress their fellow Iraqis.
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 9:52 PM
I had more of a Maliki’s group as Islamic Hezbollah and Sadr’s group as Islamic Hamas model in mind. Water seeks it’s own level. Wait and see.
I would feel more joy myself if we got control of our own country and it’s borders.
MB4 on August 4, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Will someone please kill this Sadr guy?
AbaddonsReign on August 4, 2008 at 10:06 PM
He is in Qom, one of the most holy Shiite cities in Iran and a city where many of their leaders live. He is held up in one of the most prestigious religious schools there. If we bomb him there, as you advocate, I think we would find ourselves at war with Iran and probably a good percentage of Shiites in Iraq too.
bnelson44 on August 4, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I am just wondering, did he run that by the “brave British troops” and the SAS before announcing?
RMR on August 4, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Trouble in Iraq down the road? Only when an infusion of “aid” is wanted.
BL@KBIRD on August 4, 2008 at 10:35 PM
I’d dislike Sadr less if he didn’t look so much like my cousin Frankie.
sulla on August 4, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Sadr would make a terrific Democrat.
GT on August 5, 2008 at 12:02 AM
One USMC sniper. The M-40A3 sniper rifle with the special M118LR round, chambered in 7.62mm. More than one thousand yards away. One dead mookie. Pricless.
Johan Klaus on August 5, 2008 at 2:28 AM
Amen
Johan Klaus on August 5, 2008 at 2:30 AM
Remember, we nailed the Chicago mafia not for their illegal activities, but for their failure to report the income from those activities on their tax forms.
Kafir on August 5, 2008 at 7:55 AM
I thought it was the hammering the JAM took from the IA, INP and US… Lord knows I saw enough of it first hand.
major john on August 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Great news… Next they will be available for SHRINER PARADES… YUP, that’s the ticket…
pueblo1032 on August 5, 2008 at 12:31 PM