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Reader comment on item: Islamic Law Rules In Iraq

Submitted by Michael Elzufon (Israel), Mar 3, 2004 at 08:28

Mr. Pipes, am I mistaken or is this your first mention of Ayatollah Sistani in an article? It seems puzzling that you would have taken so long to say anything about a figure who seems likely to play a major role in developments in Iraq. He seems especially intriguing for seeming to oppose theocratic rule while in no sense being a liberal. To this non-specialist, he seems to resemble far less Khomeini than the rabbinic leaders in Israel. That is to say, a world-view very much opposed to the liberal democratic philosophy that rules the West, yet by no means hostile to democracy as a means of government for the forseeable future, with a definite vision of the direction that they would like to see society and polity take while recognizing that much of it is unlikely to be adopted and, perhaps most important, showing no inclination to actually rule. To be sure, Sistani might be able to have more influence on Iraq than, say, Rav Schach had on Israel, but that might be a difference of degree rather than of kind. It also might mean a different kind of democracy there than we are used to, but still one that we can all live with.

You seem to see militant Islam as the nearly obvious winner in the coming struggle in Iraq, at least in part based on the decision to make the Sharia "a source" for law in Iraq. While the Islamists will obviously attempt to make it the source, it seems clear that there are major elements that will be trying to prevent that, including some who will try to marginalize it as much as possible. A look at Israel will remind you that the religious do not always win these battles. That the balance of forces and the nature of the conflict will be very different in Iraq than in Israel is clear; might there not be major elements opposing the Islamists? Have they no chance to win?
Submitting....

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Reader comments (44) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Opposition to the prohibition of Islamic law in Iraq which deem illegal interference to the religion of Iraqi pipols [43 words]ALMULK M. HUJJARATFeb 26, 2010 11:06169408
Al Sadr [95 words]E. R. AndersApr 20, 2008 08:18126237
Iraqi Constitution [22 words]LynnMar 14, 2008 10:06122641
Theological Resolutions to Iraq [237 words]Jason SmithMar 29, 2006 13:4341796
Partner? [30 words]Clarkson Andreas PotterJun 13, 2004 01:0415660
Sharia law in Iraq [152 words]Michael ElvinMar 17, 2004 06:5114233
Totalitarian Ideology [143 words]Arlinda DeAngelisMar 14, 2004 12:1914192
universally accepted laws? [159 words]Sir Daniel TobinMar 9, 2004 12:5214134
Islam vs. Democracy:? [321 words]Josefina CarranzaMar 29, 2006 13:3514134
Inform more folks [73 words]Max A. HolcherMar 8, 2004 12:0414117
Bravo Dan Pipes!!! [141 words]T. NorgeMar 8, 2004 03:2114113
Sharia- Legislating Iraq back to the 14th Century? [184 words]William WolfsonMar 7, 2004 21:0414110
when will people learn [82 words]joeyMar 5, 2004 20:3314095
Source can be perverted [132 words]SamMar 5, 2004 17:4714093
Islamic Laws in Iraq [104 words]MikeMar 5, 2004 17:3814092
My opinon [50 words]JennipherJan 8, 2008 19:4814092
Any major stir ? [333 words]HilareMar 5, 2004 07:0414089
Break Up of Iraq [62 words]Reni RobertsMar 4, 2004 18:4214082
Fear or ignorance? [132 words]suleimanMar 4, 2004 16:5714081
Islam as part of the law [125 words]Lenn ChowMar 3, 2004 23:0314072
I couldn't agree more! [222 words]Roger QuartonMar 3, 2004 22:3814071
You are correct that Islamic law will take Iraq down [293 words]Roger E. NasiffMar 3, 2004 19:1314069
Is Anyone Surprised? [169 words]Darwin BarrettMar 3, 2004 17:3814068
Oppression is inevitable. [269 words]William A. TomlinsonMar 3, 2004 17:2514067
The 'Palestinian' Oppression by 'Palestinians' [313 words]FreeNov 28, 2006 14:0814067
Propaganda [70 words]SamerSep 2, 2008 07:1414067
Islam [97 words]David L LamonMar 3, 2004 16:5514066
Divide Iraq into ethnic enclaves [145 words]Harvey FleetwoodMar 3, 2004 14:4714065
Iraq divided [27 words]ChuckFeb 19, 2007 08:0814065
sharia [65 words]bill poltarakMar 3, 2004 12:0214062
We just gave up the ghost. [82 words]Bernard RossMar 3, 2004 11:4314061
Richard, the camel and the democratically chosen dictatorship [213 words]A MendelsonMar 3, 2004 09:2914059
Not hopeful [93 words]brad bucherMar 3, 2004 08:3914057
Quibble [331 words]Michael ElzufonMar 3, 2004 08:2814056
Win again, lose the Peace [206 words]Harold DodsonMar 2, 2004 22:0714053
When Will The Non-Muslims Wake Up? [544 words]FishOct 1, 2008 03:5914053
How true and how sad! [76 words]Alain David HashimotoMar 2, 2004 22:0414052
Sharia Law counters Democracy and Human Rights [145 words]Mike RamirezMar 2, 2004 19:1514049
The Sharia Compromise [61 words]Thomas RekdalMar 2, 2004 19:0114046
What a Mess [140 words]Peter J. HerzMar 2, 2004 18:3114043
Question [39 words]Gary PerlsteinMar 2, 2004 17:5514042
Islamic Law & Iraq [33 words]Jim O'BrienMar 2, 2004 17:3314040
a response to Islamic Law & Iraq by reader Jim O'Brien [25 words]MikeFeb 2, 2007 19:5814040
1Implementing Sharia Law in Iraq [59 words]Walter F. GrayMar 2, 2004 16:4414038

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