Ayatollah Sistani's Representative Abd Al-Mahdi Karbalaai in a Friday Sermon in Karbalaa, Iraq: Sistani Calls on Iraqis to Vote "Yes" on Constitution and Amend Problematic Articles Later

Following are excerpts from a Friday sermon in Karbalaa, Iraq. The preacher is Sheik Abd Al-Hadi Karbalaai. Al-Furat TV aired this sermon on October 14, 2005

Sheik Karbalaai:His Eminence Ayatollah Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani urges all Iraqi citizens to participate en masse in the referendum on the constitution, and to vote "yes." Although there are some problems and reservations regarding some of the articles of this draft, this does not justify refraining from participation and voting "yes," since these articles about which we have reservations can be amended in the future, adjusting them to the interests of the Iraqi people. Furthermore, there are many positive things in this draft. For instance, it considers Islam a main source of legislation. It preserves the Islamic identity of the country. In addition, the citizen has personal liberties in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, wills and so on. In these, he is free to follow the rulings of his religion or sect. No (rulings) other than those he chooses are imposed on him. Another (positive article) pertains to the political regime that rules the country and prevents the return of a dictatorial or sectarian regime. These are undoubtedly positive things and many of the things included in the constitution are very important for our people and our country.