Muqtada al Sadr Quotes
A collection of quotes by Muqtada al Sadr.
Muqtada al Sadr is a prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric and politician who was born on August 12, 1973, in Najaf, Iraq. He is the son of revered Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr, who was assassinated by the Saddam Hussein regime in 1999. Muqtada rose to prominence after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, when he emerged as a charismatic figure leading the Sadrist Movement.
Al Sadr's influence lies in his ability to mobilize supporters and followers through grassroots movements. He established the Mahdi Army, a militia that became heavily involved in the sectarian violence during the Iraqi insurgency. Al Sadr's authority on the religious and political fronts has allowed him to shape a significant part of Iraq's Shiite political landscape.
Throughout his career, al Sadr has taken strong anti-American stances, advocating for an end to foreign intervention in Iraq. He has also been critical of corruption within the Iraqi government and promoted nationalist sentiment among his supporters.
Al Sadr has participated in political processes and held various positions within the Iraqi government. His political party, the Sairoon Alliance, emerged as the largest coalition in the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary elections, further solidifying his influence in the country. However, his political agenda and allegiances have evolved over time, and his relationship with other Shiite factions and Iran has been complex and sometimes strained.
Muqtada al Sadr remains a polarizing figure, revered by some as a populist leader championing the rights of the disenfranchised, while others view him with suspicion due to his involvement in the sectarian violence during the early years of the Iraq War.
