How Iraq’s Religious Authority rose to prominence after Saddam's fall

After the US invasion in 2003 toppled Saddam, Shiite clerics in Najaf helped the country get back on its feet. Its views are still sought, shaping the direction of Iraq today.

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The shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf. The city is home to Iraq's influential Religious Authority.

How Iraq’s Religious Authority rose to prominence after Saddam's fall

Shahd Dashty

last update on 17 Mar 2024

About 160km south of Baghdad, where the River Euphrates forks, lies the ancient and holy city of Najaf. Here sits Iraq’s Religious Authority.

Najaf is home to around 1.4 million people and is the purported burial place of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) son-in-law and cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib.

However, its most famous living resident is the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, 93. He heads the Religious Authority and is, to many, the spiritual leader of Shiite Muslims worldwide.

The influence of Iraq’s Religious Authority runs far beyond the spiritual. Along with its major national social and cultural standing, the depth of its significance for the country’s majority Shiite community gives it real political clout.

Establishing itself

The Authority established itself as bona fide in the eyes of many Iraqis by being a source of political stability during the instability after Saddam Hussein’s regime fell in 2003. This cemented its leading role in the country today.

As official state institutions collapsed and security conditions worsened, the Authority used its influence to put a stop to the persecutions, house arrests, and assassinations plaguing the country.

In the absence of any influential and visible Iraqi politicians, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani soon emerged as a major national figure, a grown-up in the room.

AFP — Ali al-Sistani meeting the pope in March 2021.

Al-Sistani's Authority then played a significant role in bringing democracy to Iraq, helping to establish the constitution and organise early elections, the first of their kind in a country whose history is peppered with foreign occupation.

When Iraq's elected governments later proved weak or corrupt, the Authority stood ready to intervene. Its views are now sought on any major issue.

Rising profile

After decades of Saddam's authoritarianism, the Religious Authority was relatively marginalised by 2003. Only within the turbulence that followed did it extend its influence, a pattern often seen elsewhere in the Middle East.

Al-Sistani's Religious Authority has representatives nationwide, but their influence depends on their location. In some areas, the Authority's representatives have been sent packing or, in some cases, killed.

Although official state institutions in Iraq have sole authority to make decisions on foreign policy, several entities, some semi-autonomous, provide guidance and advice, including representatives of factions and ethnicities.

In addition, advocacy groups weigh in on the discussion, while public opinion is also considered.

Yet of all those to give a view, the Religious Authority in Najaf is perhaps the most important. Since 2003, it has exerted a direct influence on Iraq's direction. Still, it remains independent of government, funded directly by Shiite worshippers.

The views of the Religious Authority in Najaf impact domestic and foreign policy, which undermines state sovereignty.

Stabilising influence

The views of the Religious Authority in Najaf impact domestic and foreign policy, which undermines state sovereignty. Although Iraqis disagree on a lot, most do not want it to become a battleground for foreign powers once again.

Its stance matters, including on international issues, most notably the Palestinian cause. It has also issued religious edicts to exert pressure on decision-makers, condemning some policies and backing others.

Statements from Najaf are heard loud and clear in Baghdad. Friday sermons or private meetings between al-Sistani and state officials reinforce the message.

Domestic issues like the constitution and elections often intersect with foreign issues. Iraq's domestic stability directly impacts its foreign policy.

Sounding board

Decision-makers know that the Authority can tip the balance on big decisions through religious edicts and by mobilising crowds to press the politicians into one course of action over another.

This was evidenced in 2014 by its fatwa (defensive jihad) issued against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Iraq's northern and western regions.

AFP — Iraqi members of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation units) carry an upsidedown Islamic State (IS) group flag in the city of al-Qaim, in Iraq's western Anbar province near the Syrian border as they fight against IS.

Over the past 20 years, the Religious Authority has seen its influence grow beyond Iraq. It has international resonance via its Shiite followers across the region and the world. They seek its guidance on how to fulfil their religious obligations.

The Authority does not interfere in the public affairs of other countries. Despite having many followers in neighbouring states, especially in the Gulf, it only offers general advice and guidance.

It emphasises the sanctity of law and encourages its followers to adhere to their homeland's laws and limit their political involvement to their home countries.

According to the Ja'fari school of thought, the authority maintains financial independence through religious dues and tithes. Its scholarly qualifications and process of selecting its leader also make it unique.

Traditional and modern

Since its inception, the Religious Authority has maintained its traditional Hawtha (seminary) system without evolving into more modern institutional patterns. It gradually spread its affiliated religious and cultural institutions worldwide.

The institutions it inherited from Iran's Grand Ayatollah Khomeini (such as the Khomeini Institution, which the UN granted General Consultative status in 1998) have also spread in terms of geography and influence.

Furthermore, it now has departments dedicated to running its media relations and international relations, the latter managing the Authority's links to religious and political leaders worldwide.

Its role in running an institutionalised system that preserves religious principles underpins its influence.

The Religious Authority in Najaf gradually spread its affiliated religious and cultural institutions worldwide.

Looking outwards

The Authority sees political turmoil in Iraq as one of its biggest challenges. It has been trying to make Iraq more stable internally since its engagement in national political affairs.

There are frequent clashes between Iraq's legislature and executive, and huge protests by Iraqis demanding reform and improved standard of living, the provision of public services, and economic opportunities.

During this wave of demonstrations, the Religious Authority remained silent and did not take sides. This was purposeful to preserve credibility and unity and avoid violence.

Some of the Authority's calls, such as for political reform and efforts to combat corruption, have not been heeded. In response, it closed its doors to certain factions and cancelled its political sermons during Friday prayers.

Among its concerns is the continued presence of foreign soldiers on Iraqi soil. It sees this as destabilising Iraqi national politics and undermining its sovereignty. The Authority has, therefore, called for the withdrawal of all coalition forces from Iraq to the consternation of some.

Although al-Sistani hardly ever meets the press, the Authority's media efforts have ramped up recently, which has increased its visibility. Its directives, together with special meetings with its representatives, only increase this.

Some have called for the Authority to stay out of politics and separation of spiritual and state affairs, but it remains vocal on issues of public interest.

Its role in guiding the country out of the post-invasion chaos after Saddam's Ba'athist regime fell gives it the right, in many Iraqi minds, to continue doing so.

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