Freedom to Pray

In the southern port city of Basra the followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr went from kingmakers to lepers in weeks.

Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki descended upon the Shiite militant stronghold and most of the Mahdi Army, the militia attached to Sadr's movement, fled or were detained. Other Shiite militias were also attacked. The Sadrists, a political and social movement, were ousted from their office and the outdoor prayer area was taken away.

Since the battle in March they've been afraid to pray publicly. In one instance when they gathered to pray in a new location security forces broke up the crowd by shooting into the air when the cleric that lead the prayer spoke against the government.

But this Friday they'd struck a deal with the local government and were back in the vast space where they once prayed. About 5,000 men gathered to pray together and a Sadr spokesman praised government officials for being "honorable." This is not a typical statement from the now opposition movement to a government dominated by rival Shiite parties. But it is unclear how much his large following has dwindled.

Sadr's statement over the past year and a half have been more and more peaceful calling for his militia to stand down and eventually disband, save an elite fighting force that would resist the Americans.

Most recently he offered the government his support if they refused to sign a security agreement with the United States that is still in negotiations.

Some say Sadr has smartened up and realized he has to wait the Americans out and then take on his Shiite rivals. Others believe he is significantly weakened by recent operations in his strongholds of Basra, Amara and the vast Shiite slum in Sadr City. There have been Shiites who have turned on the militia, happy to be rid of a group that in some cases went from a protector to violent intimidator.

He no longer holds the ground in the heartland of poor Shiites. The question is does he hold their hearts?

Comments

[R J Adams]

There's a complex game being played out, and for the moment Maliki appears to have the advantage. How long will it last? Has Sadr some cunning end game waiting to be played out, or has he already lost his powerful rooks and bishops to Maliki's knights? Time will tell. Keep us informed, Leila.

[Susan]

For pictures I have seen, it appears that Sadr has a great deal of support.

I am glad that he has turned to non-violent resistance, and I support all forms of non-violent resistance to authorities.

[Tempranillo]

The moment the U.S. and coalition forces leave, all Hell will break lose.

Whom to blame? I would say, look to thyself Islam. Slaughter in the name of Allah is the name of the game.