Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement, cautioned President Joe Biden on Friday against his alleged support for Israel, warning him against further intervention in the Middle East. Al-Sadr also urged Iraqis to gather aid to be sent to Gaza Strip, which is currently under siege, via Syria or Egypt.
This Friday, during a prayer sermon held in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, cleric Muhannad Al-Moussawi read a statement on behalf of Al-Sadr, in front of crowds of Sadrist movement supporters who stand in solidarity with Palestine.
President Biden was addressed by Al-Sadr, who stated, “Your march towards the Middle East will cause you a reaction that you do not expect, not from the submissive, but from the mujahideen in Palestine, and those who support them. And all the Arab and Islamic peoples are ready to sacrifice what is dear and precious, and they are waiting for one sign from those with special needs.” Trust in God, integrity, wisdom, and jihad—not the dishonest and the panhandlers.”
Al-Sadr urged the peaceful protesters in Iraq to assemble and equip a “flood convoy” of food and water supplies. He suggested that they coordinate with Syria or Egypt to deliver the convoy to the people in Gaza. He also emphasized that if they are unable to carry out this mission, it would be a shame to the history of Islamic and Arab nations.
Dozens of Sadrist movement supporters gathered in Tahrir Square in Baghdad since early Friday morning.
Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadr movement, invited this arrival last Monday. He urged his supporters to participate in a million-man demonstration in support of the Palestinian people after a unified prayer on Friday. Today, the arrival has finally come.
The capital city of Baghdad has been preparing to welcome large crowds of demonstrators since yesterday, Thursday. The authorities have taken strict security measures, including blocking off roads leading to Tahrir Square and its surroundings from all directions.
