Iraqi Shiite Religious Leader: The Imam Ali Mosque Should Not Be Used for Military Purposes

The following are excerpts from statements by Sheik Qassam Al-Hashami, Secretary General of the Iraqi Preachers Bureau, to an Iranian TV station:

The use of this holy place (Imam 'Ali Mosque) at this sensitive stage, when blood is shed, innocents (are hurt) and heads roll ? It is improper to use the Imam 'Ali Mosque as a place for military armament and fortification against a party that has no respect for this tomb and is not committed to the sanctity of the Imam 'Ali Mosque.

We know that the occupying force has no problem breaking into the mosque, attacking it, and doing whatever. However, we Shiites, who emulate our pure Imams and who are well aware of the sanctity of this mosque, must distance the armed phenomena from this sacred place. Eventually, the mosque will be desecrated and the Imam 'Ali Tomb will become a target for bombs, lethal weapons, and so on.