Sadr launches nationwide donation drive among wealthy Iraqis

NAJAF — Shia cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr on Saturday announced a nationwide financial donation campaign, calling on affluent Iraqis and business owners to contribute funds for those he described as “deserving.”

In a public statement, al-Sadr said the initiative is meant to “ward off fear and affliction” from contributors and from Iraq as a whole.

“By the blessing of God Almighty… let the campaign for financial donations begin across Iraq to deliver them to those who are deserving,” he said. “This does not apply to those with limited income, and remains directed at those with capital and financial means. May their donations protect them, us, and all of Iraq from affliction.”

Al-Sadr instructed his followers to collect donations and issue receipts for all contributions, which are to be forwarded to designated authorities for distribution.

He cited a verse from the Qur’an: “Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow up what they have spent with reminders or injury, they will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.”

He concluded his message by saying: “Peace be upon those who spend in the way of God. Congratulations to them for warding off fear and affliction… and peace be upon you.”

Moqtada al-Sadr is a prominent Iraqi Shiite religious and political leader whose movement has been one of the most influential Shia forces in post-2003 Iraq. In 2025, he and his followers boycotted the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections, urging supporters not to vote for what he described as “criminals,” and calling participation “a betrayal of reform.”