Iraqi government condemns ‘vicious attacks’ on Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government’s spokesperson, Basem Al-Awadi, stated on Wednesday that the government strongly rejects illustrations featuring Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani being in crosshairs. He called on the Secretary-General of the United Nations and all international forums to denounce and condemn anything that offends the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

This statement followed Israel’s Channel 14 release of images featuring several Iranian, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Houthi leaders, including Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. The images were interpreted by many Shia Muslims as suggesting that Israel views these figures are potential targets for Israel.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is one of the most influential Shia religious leaders in Iraq and across the Shia Muslim world.

Israeli Channel 14 is a right-leaning news outlet, known for its conservative stance and focus on political and security issues. It is a private broadcaster and is not directly affiliated with the Israeli government. However, it has gained prominence among right-wing audiences in Israel and tends to align with the viewpoints of conservative political groups, many of which are currently represented in the government.

The full official statement from the Iraqi government spokesperson:

In the wake of the Zionist entity’s escalating genocidal war and blatant crimes against humanity in Gaza and Lebanon, its racist, inciting media has launched a vicious attack on the image of the Supreme Religious Authority.

The Iraqi government strongly condemns any attack on our Supreme Religious Authority, which is respected and revered by all Iraqis, the Arab and Islamic worlds, and the international community. We warn of the dangers of these attempts, rooted in racism and deep disrespect for the sanctities of nations. Such provocations encourage the expansion of aggression and pose a real threat to international peace and security.

Once again, the Zionist entity proves to be nothing more than a criminal group that thrives on creating crises, fueling aggression and wars, and becoming more isolated day by day. The global and popular rejection of its actions further confirms this aggressive tendency.

In light of these facts, we call on the UN Secretary-General and the international community to reject and condemn any action that offends the feelings of Muslims worldwide and attempts to undermine globally respected figures.

Iraq, the government and the people, has made every effort to stop the war. However, the Zionist entity, its supporters, and the international community’s failure have only exacerbated the situation. Today, it tries to spread insults to cover up its blatant crimes, which we fully reject and consider a serious act of aggression. This will not change Iraq’s steadfast and principled position on all crucial issues.

In a separate statement, the Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid condemned the images, stressing the necessity of respecting the sanctities of all religions and sects.

He also called on the international community to take effective action and urgently express positions rejecting any calls for hatred between peoples.

Full statement from the Iraq’s Presidency:

We condemn in the strongest terms the offense directed at the supreme religious authority in Iraq and the world through the media of the occupying entity. We reject such insults to the position of the religious authority.

We affirm the necessity of respecting the sanctities of all religions and sects, whether Islamic or non-Islamic, as this blatant aggression will lead to widening the circle of danger and violence, and will expose the region to further conflict.

We call on the international community to take effective action and urgently express positions rejecting any calls for hatred between peoples. We reaffirm Iraq’s attempts to enhance efforts aimed at stopping the aggression on Palestine and Lebanon.

We also affirm Iraq’s firm and principled stance on the just cause of Palestine and the right of its people to self-determination and to establish their state on their entire national territory.

Screengrab from Channel 14 with the offending images that have been condemned in Iraq