fpb | Peace (?) in Najaf

The TV news and newspapers are full of the peace deal brokered in Najaf by the highest Shia religious authority in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani. Personally, I was impressed by the man's courage. Freshly returned from a heart operation, he put his authority on the line to put an end to a crisis that threatened to place the whole Shia community (the majority of Iraqis) against the occupying powers. This was a very brave thing to do, for if for any reason his mission failed, then, Grand Ayatollah or not, his prestige would have sufferend enormously. And he acted not in any precipitate or one-sided way, but to restore the peace between occupiers and extreme religious patriots. A different man in his position might have taken a wholly different line - hostile to the occupiers, openly or covertly supportive of violence. But Al Sistani has made it clear from the beginning that, while he does not welcome the American-led occupation (he has refused to meet American leaders in person), he will put up with it for the sake of the promised democratic election; and he has consistently stuck to that line. His courageous journey to Najaf shows that he is willing to put his money - his prestige, his rank, his authority - where his mouth is, and his success can only have increased his clout. We must all hope that his line succeeds and that democratic institutions are indeed set up in the country; but it seems that as long as he is alive and Grand Ayatollah - the highest moral authority in Iraq - the future of the country is in good hands. And you will not find me saying this sort of thing about a Muslim leader every day of the year.

(P.S.: Who the Hell am I to make pronouncements about foreign policy like this? Nobody, obviously. But this is my opinion, however worthless, and this is my Livejournal - not anyone else's.)