BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | The rising voice of Iraq's Shias: "Since the Iranian revolution, the image of a Shia cleric, with a black turban and a long white beard, has become synonymous with a radical Ayatollah bent on creating a theocratic state.
But the most senior Shia cleric in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, is actually among those who believe in separating religion from the state.
After the invasion of Iraq in March last year, he appeared to adhere to his quietist stance.
Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's image can be seen throughout Basra
He rarely made political statements.
That is why his recent public intervention in politics is a clear indication of a growing impatience among many of his followers.
It seems that he could no longer remain quiet when more and more of them feared that American plans for the transfer of power would undermine their aspiration for a representative democracy."
But the most senior Shia cleric in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, is actually among those who believe in separating religion from the state.
After the invasion of Iraq in March last year, he appeared to adhere to his quietist stance.
Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's image can be seen throughout Basra
He rarely made political statements.
That is why his recent public intervention in politics is a clear indication of a growing impatience among many of his followers.
It seems that he could no longer remain quiet when more and more of them feared that American plans for the transfer of power would undermine their aspiration for a representative democracy."
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