AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Ayatollah Sayed Yasin al-Mousawi, the Friday Prayer Leader of Baghdad and a prominent professor of the Najaf Seminary, addressed a range of political, economic, and regional developments in his Friday prayer sermons, examining the challenges facing Iraq and the situation in the region.
Stating that the political crisis in Iraq remains centered on how to implement the constitution, particularly regarding the election of a president and the formation of a government, he said, "The Iraqi people participated in the elections and cast their votes, but political disputes, especially among Kurdish factions, have long hindered the realization of legal entitlements."
Ayatollah al-Mousawi added, "The recent election of the president was ultimately achieved through political agreements, but this process is criticized because the criterion for selection, rather than being based on competence and integrity, has been subject to partisan considerations and interests." According to him, political factions often agree on a candidate without considering whether that individual is the most suitable to represent the country.
Referring to the issue of selecting the prime minister, he warned, "Repeating this same approach in determining the head of government will lead to a 'new political error.' Limiting the options to a closed circle of individuals indicates the prioritization of partisan interests over national interests."
The Friday Prayer Leader of Baghdad emphasized the necessity of selecting an independent and competent figure, stating, "The prime ministership is a national right, not a partisan privilege." He also called on political factions to consider more realistic criteria in nominating candidates for this position and not to limit the options to just a few names.
In another part of his remarks, Ayatollah al-Mousawi addressed the economic problems of the Iraqi people, raising issues such as gas shortages and rising food prices, and posed the question of whether these crises are real or caused by the corruption of some influential individuals.
Referring to past experiences, he said, "Some officials have at various times exploited crisis situations for illicit financial gain, and the continuation of this trend could lead to dissatisfaction and even social explosion, especially among the poor."
Regarding regional politics, rejecting what he called attempts to keep Iraq in a "gray zone," he emphasized, "Iraq is part of an integrated regional environment and cannot adopt a neutral stance on fateful issues."
Ayatollah al-Mousawi also addressed the developments in Lebanon and, criticizing some political positions in that country, said, "Opposition to linking the ceasefire to the negotiation process between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States mediated by Pakistan led to the escalation of conflicts and the death of hundreds of civilians."
He stated, "Recent developments, including the announcement of a ceasefire, are the result of the pressures and stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the field resistance of Hezbollah, and 'resistance' has been the determining factor in imposing these conditions on the opposing side, not merely diplomatic processes."
The Friday Prayer Leader of Baghdad added, "What happened in Lebanon demonstrates the importance of adhering to the option of resistance in the face of challenges." He called on regional countries, especially the Persian Gulf countries, to strengthen regional cooperation, refrain from relying on foreign powers, and take steps toward the withdrawal of foreign bases from the region.
Ayatollah Sayed Yasin al-Mousawi concluded by emphasizing the need to review domestic and foreign policies, calling for a focus on building a government based on meritocracy and justice, and warning, "The continuation of political and economic crises could have serious consequences for the country's stability."
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