AP writer Hamza Hemdawi writes an excellent primer on Shia Islam's politics, essential reading for those wishing to understand what is going on within Iraqi politics, and between Iraq and Iran.

The rivalry between Iraq's city of Najaf, the holiest site in Shia Islam, and Qom, Iran's holiest center, turns out to be critical. Najaf's seminaries and leading clerics support a 'quietist' school of thought — that governance should be left to the government, as opposed to the theocratic philosophy of Qom.

The leading figure among Iraq's Shiites, Grand Ayatollah Sistani, is actually of Iranian origin, a fact which somehow has eluded all of the new stories about him I have read to date. As his influence in Iraq's path to freedom and democracy continues to be strong, there cannot help but be a carryover to Iranian politics.

Read the entire article.
Hat tip to Ed
Posted by Thomas  07 15 04