The Shi'ite Movement in Iraq

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the religious, political, and organizational background of the Shi’ite movement in Iraq. It identifies the relationships that Iraqi Shi’ite groups have developed with other regional actors, most notably Iran, as well as the Shi’ite opinion leaders who have earned a prominent religious and political identity in the country, including Ayatollah Sistani, Muqtada al-Sadr, and the al-Hekim family. Finally, this paper also analyzes Shi’ite relations with and approaches to the state. Faleh Cabbar, an Iraqi sociologist, offers a very important historical and general framework in his book on the Shi’ite Movement in Iraq. However, much of it will require constant updates its utility as a bedside resource will rapidly diminish as the position and actions of Iraqi Shi’ites change over time.

The Shi'ite Movement in Iraq

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the religious, political, and organizational background of the Shi’ite movement in Iraq. It identifies the relationships that Iraqi Shi’ite groups have developed with other regional actors, most notably Iran, as well as the Shi’ite opinion leaders who have earned a prominent religious and political identity in the country, including Ayatollah Sistani, Muqtada al-Sadr, and the al-Hekim family. Finally, this paper also analyzes Shi’ite relations with and approaches to the state. Faleh Cabbar, an Iraqi sociologist, offers a very important historical and general framework in his book on the Shi’ite Movement in Iraq. However, much of it will require constant updates since its utility as a bedside resource will rapidly diminish as the position and actions of Iraqi Shi’ites change over time.

Keywords

• Iraq,Shi'ite Movement,Kurdish,The Middle East

References

1. Faleh A. Cabbar, Irak'ta Şii Hareketi ve Direniş, (İstanbul: Agora Kitaplığı, 2004).