An Iraqi earthquake named Moqtada al-Sadr

Shiite cleric and politician Moqtada al-Sadr has turned the tables on his fellow politicians in Iraq, starting with Shiite leaders, namely the ruling Dawa party. He has led popular protests against the “corrupt” government. His boldest move is his opposition to the sectarian quota system.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has proposed a new government, but opposition to it is attributed either to insignificant changes, or to him turning against the parties from which government members should be appointed.

Golden opportunity?

A friend of mine who is an Iraqi journalist says Sadr should not be trusted, as Shiite and Sunni fundamentalist religious movements control the government and the opposition. However, others say such a golden opportunity should be seized to undermine the sectarian structure of Iraqi politics and reestablish it in accordance with national civil rules.

What is happening now should be an opportunity to restore Iraqi national identity and correct the deadly mistakes that were behind the establishment of the crooked political regime. Sectarianism in Iraqi politics should end.

This article was first published by Asharq al-Awsat on April 15, 2016.
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Saudi journalist Mshari al-Thaydi presents Al Arabiya News Channel’s “views on the news” daily show “Maraya.” He has previously held the position of a managing senior editor for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf at pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat. Thaydi has published several papers on political Islam and the social history of Saudi Arabia. He appears as a guest on several radio and TV programs to discuss the ideologies of extremist groups and terrorists.