Iraqi Cleric: Killing of French priest ‘rejected and unacceptable’

Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Sadruddin al-Qubanchi warned over the influence of the Ba’ath Party in Iraq’s government, saying “We condemn every effort by some regional countries to remove or suspend the ban on the political participation of members of the Ba’ath Party in the Iraqi government.”

The Iraqi cleric added that members of the Ba’ath Party have shed the blood of the innocent Iraqi people and have undertaken many actions which are to the detriment of the region and the country.

He said that the operation to liberate Mosul must begin as soon as possible as it is necessary and stressed: “The continuing debate over the presence of Popular Mobilization Forces in the operation to liberate Mosul is futile.”

Hujjat al-Islam al-Qubanchi continued, saying that according to members of the Iraqi armed forces, members of the Popular Mobilization Forces are playing an increasingly influential role in liberating the occupied territories and clearing them from the filth of ISIL terrorists and on these grounds, they should be involved in the liberation of Mosul.

His Eminence described the recently-concluded Arab League summit in Mauritania as “empty” and stated: “The Arab League summit has no benefit for the people of the region because they only benefit the interests of Israel and engage in the condemnation of the activities of Iran.”

He condemned last Tuesday’s terrorist attack on a church in the French town of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray where ISIL terrorists killed 85-year-old priest, Father Jacques Hamel, stressing that such horrific acts are “rejected and unacceptable.”

According to Rasa, the Friday prayer leader of Najaf added that said the Takfiris have established schools in Western countries with Western support and now the fire of their crimes has reached them.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Qubanchi noted the latest developments in Bahrain, saying that the people of Bahrain are demanding reforms and the practice of law. Regardless of the legitimate aspirations of the people of the island, the Al Khalifah are using the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Peninsula Shield Force to suppress the Bahraini people and target the clergy.

In conclusion, His Eminence called on the Al Khalifah regime to act in accordance with reason and logic and added that the demonization of people and the use of violence will not solve the problems Bahrain faces.

“On this basis, the Al Khalifah must desist from such actions and resort to rationality and listen to the voice of the people.”