Muqtada al-Sadr

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The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Muqtada al-Sadr
Al Jazeera: Profile: Muqtada al-Sadr
Council on Foreign Relations: Muqtada al-Sadr
The Guardian: Q&A: The Battle for Basra (March 25, 2008)
Xinhua News: Iraq's Sadr Threatens 'Civil Disobedience' (March 25, 2008)
International Crisis Group: Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr: Spoiler Or Stabiliser? (July 11, 2006)
YouTube Video: Muqtada's City—Iraq (Time: 21:58)

Muqtada al-Sadr News and Articles

Topix.net: Muqtada al-Sadr News
CNN: Muqtada al-Sadr
WashingtonPost.com: Shiite Cleric Sadr Offers Conditions for Cease-Fire (March 30, 2008)
Radio Free Europe: Iraq: Fighting In Al-Basrah As Government Seeks To Oust Militias (March 25, 2008)
CNN: Iraqi Raids Anger Shiite Militia (March 25, 2008)
Los Angeles Times: Iraqi Security Forces Launch Crackdown in Basra (March 25, 2008)
TIME: Maliki's Moment of Truth in Basra (March 25, 2008)
TIME: Iraq Militias Fighting for Supremacy (August 29, 2007)
FOX News: Al-Sadr Calls for Demonstration Against Azamiyah Wall in Baghdad (April 25, 2007)

Muqtada al-Sadr Background and Profiles

TIME: Muqtada al-Sadr (April 30, 2006)
The Middle East Quarterly: Understanding Muqtada al-Sadr (Fall, 2004)
CBS News: Muqtada Sadr's Battle Against U.S. (May 30, 2004)
CNN: Who is Muqtada al-Sadr? (April 6, 2004)

The Mahdi Army Information

Mahalo's Guide to Mahdi Army
BBC News: Who are Iraq's Mahdi Army (May 30, 2007)
Global Securty: The Mahdi Army
SPIKE: Mahdi Army P.R. Video (Time: 3:49)
MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base: Group Profile—Mahdi Army

Muqtada al-Sadr Photos and Videos

YouTube & Google Video Search: Muqtada al-Sadr
Google Images: Muqtada al-Sadr
Flickr: Satire: SadrClaus

Muqtada al-Sadr Blogs and Commentary

Threats Watch: Iran, Not al-Sadr, Leading Shi'a Attacks In Iraq (March 25, 2008)
Eye on the Empire (OC Register): Will Muqtada al-sadr End the Cease-Fire? (January 29, 2008)
Patrick Cockburn (The Independent): The Man Who Now Holds Iraq's Future... (January 11, 2007)

Related Searches

Nouri al-Maliki | Iraq | Mahdi Army | Iraq War | Terrorism | War on Terror | Shia Islam | Karbala Festival Riot

Guide Note

Muqtada al-Sadr is a strongly anti-American Shi'ite Cleric in Iraq and leader of the Mahdi Army. al-Sadr lacks the education and degrees typically required of Shia clerics and instead relies on his family lineage to provide his authority. He emerged as a potential leader as the editor of the al-Hawza, a newspaper that was eventually shut down by the United States. Following the paper's closure, al-Sadr began organizing a resistance movement against United States forces in Iraq. Initially peaceful, al-Sadr declared that his supporters should begin to "terrorize" their enemies. Under cease-fire since August, 2007, al-Sadr has begun making threats of mass civil disobedience actions if continued action is taken against the Mahdi Army.

Fast Facts

Born on August 12, 1973
Religion: Shia Islam
Sadr City section of Baghdad named for his father
Lacks the training and degrees usually required of Shia clerics
Draws his authority from his family's prestige
Attempted to extend the August, 2007 cease-fire in February, 2008
Has threatened civil disobedience actions if his demands are not met
Calls for the release of members of the Mahdi Army currently in prison
Also calls for an apology from the Iraqi government

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