Iraqi prayer sermons criticise sectarian strife

Friday sermons in several Iraqi mosques have focused on the current Iraqi sectarian strife and raised the concerns of protestors across the country strife. In Karbala, 100 km south of Baghdad , a Muslim Shiite representative attacked the interior and defence ministries involved in importing devices for detecting explosives. Some of the devices have been found to be faulty. He described the use of such devices as a "deception that adds to the bloodshed" and called on officials to disclose details of the imports. During a Friday prayer sermon Iraqi sculptor Ahmed Safi said "there are many security questions here, the issue of detectors was raised four years ago.” Safi questioned what political gains using the devices would serve and criticised the continued disputes among politicians, which he claimed “yield nothing but destruction,” he added that politicians need to find a way to resolve their disagreements. Safi also called for the government to seek out and punish those who promote sectarianism as they “push for the murder of the sons of Iraq.” Imam and preacher in Najaf, Baghdad Sadr al-Din Qabbanji confirmed that the political crisis in the country is getting worse, warning against the danger of "imminent sectarian war.” Meanwhile, coordinating committees in Baghdad demanded religious leaders listen to protesters. Imam Samal Mahmoud said that the government should “listen to the voices of the protesters” as they took to the streets 154 days ago in and endured "extreme conditions" in order for their voice to be heard. The demonstrators have been raising the old Iraqi flag, and marching under banners with the slogan"we will either be first class citizens or first class rebels.” They have also called on the United Nations , the European Union and the international human rights organisation to open investigations into the bombing of the Sariya and Baquba mosque. In Samarra in the Salah Al-din district, protestors have warned against “breeding poisoned ideas," and attributed sedition to government policy, accusing the politicians of "ignoring solutions." The districts of Anbar, Nineveh, Salahuddin and have witnessed weekly demonstrations since the end of 2012. Protesters have demanded changes in government policy and the release of female prisoners and innocent detainees.