Two interesting columns in Asharq Alawsat on the politicization of religion. Both are pretty down beat about its consequences:

“True Islam”
Tariq Alhomayed

It was assumed that with the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime that Iraq would become a center of modern enlightenment, from which other Arab states would learn the democratic process from based on the consideration that Iraq will influence and be influenced.

It was also believed that Iraq would be transformed into a scientific center and an educational hub for both European and American scholars, where we would see Iraqis there as students and researchers, rather than political asylum seekers fleeing from post-Saddam Hussein suppression.

But what has happened instead? Today, we see the doors of scholarship widely open for Iran, where convoys of new students have formed! The most prominent example here is Mr. Muqtada al Sadr, who wants to be awarded the title of ‘authority’ overnight, without even completing the basics required in obtaining such a degree.
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The Imam’s Citizens
Mshari Al-Zaydi

A news item grabbed my attention recently; it reported on the health of Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani, the prime marja for Shia, and how he, this spiritual guide, invited reporters to his home in order to dispel any rumours about his ill health or loss of consciousness. He said, “Praise be to God, I am in good health and everyday I meet dozens of citizens from all over the world,” as reported in Asharq Al-Awsat recently.

I believe that the elderly Shia cleric did intend to use the word “citizens” since he is actually leading a “nation” of believers who are living under his faithful and religious protection and who are the citizens of this sentimental religious state that is not restricted by borders or by geography and that is intangible and has no national identity card or passport.

They are citizens of a state of faith and religion and Sistani is the head of this state.
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